Hyperion Records
Click album cover image to view the sleeve notes
CDA67448

Buy? £13.99

Recording details: December 2003
Henry Wood Hall, London, United Kingdom
Produced by Andrew Keener
Engineered by Julian Millard
Release date: June 2004
Total duration: 72 minutes 38 seconds
Available for download on iTunes: Yes

View sleeve notes/artwork

'All of the performances on this excellently recorded disc are exemplary' (BBC Music Magazine)

'The Nash Ensemble play these richly rewarding works with style and feeling' (The Independent)

'Lovely fare, performed with great polish and heartwarming dedication by the Nash Ensemble, and all cleanly captured by the microphones. This disc will surely provide much pleasure' (Gramophone)

'The Nash Ensemble plays with all its customary skill and insight, highlighted by the remrakable pianism of Ian Brown' (Classic FM Magazine)

'even if the recordings featuring violinist Josef Suk (the composer's grandson) were easier to find, these fresh-sounding, light-textured Nash Ensemble interpretations would hold their own in the catalog. Excellent engineering and informative notes too. A magnificent release' (Fanfare, USA)

'This is Suk viewed from the 'dark side' and very much more impressive than he usually sounds. Brown balances the introspective sensibility and dramatic onward surge of this music to perfection, and his distinguished colleagues follow him every inch of the way. Enhanced by yet another first rate Andrew Keener production, this exceptional release comes highly recommended' (International Record Review)

'dazzlingly violinistic and brilliantly played by Marianne Thorsen and Ian Brown' (The Sunday Times)

Josef Suk (1874-1935)
Chamber Music
The Nash Ensemble
Piano Quartet in A minor, Op 1
1
Movement 1: Allegro appassionato  [7:21]
2
Movement 2: Adagio  [7:57]
3
Movement 3: Allegro con fuoco  [7:12]
Four pieces for violin and piano, Op 17
4
No 1: Quasi Ballata. Andante sostenuto  [5:11]
5
No 2: Appassionato. Vivace  [4:06]
6
No 3: Un poco triste. Andante espressivo  [3:53]
7
No 4: Burlesca. Allegro vivace  [3:20]
Piano Quintet in G minor, Op 8
8
Movement 1: Allegro energico  [8:17]
9
Movement 2: Adagio. Religioso  [9:54]
10
Movement 3: Scherzo. Presto  [5:55]
11
Movement 4: Allegro fuoco  [9:32]
The music of Josef Suk, pupil of Dvorák and married to the elder composer’s daughter, is only now beginning to be recognized for its true worth. Presented here are three relatively early works, brimming with youthful enthusiasm but already showing considerable individuality, a highly developed approach to structure, and, occasionally, a touch of the melancholy introspection which was to inform many of the composer’s later works. A talented violinist, Suk lends to his chamber compositions a true understanding of the genre, while his thoroughly ‘Czech’ musical upbringing ensures strong representation for the folk and dance influences to be found in the music of many of his contemporaries.