Sir Donald Tovey: Chamber Music, Volume Two
The exploration of Sir Donald Tovey’s music on Toccata Classics continues apace with two highly contrasted works: the bright, Classically oriented Variations on a Theme by Gluck, Op. 28, for flute and string quartet written in 1913 and the Piano Quintet from thirteen years earlier – an expansive, Brahmsian work of symphonic scale: it is almost an hour in length.
Ormesby Ensemble
Sarah Brooke, flute (Tracks 1–7)
Robert Atchison, violin
Jacqueline Hartley, violin
Bill Hawkes, viola
David Jones, cello
Olga Dudnik, piano (Tracks 8–11)
Listen To This Recording:
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Variations on a Theme by Gluck, Op. 28, for flute and string quartet (1913)
- Tema: Andante espressivo alla siciliana; non troppo lento
- Var. 1 —
- Var. 2 —
- Var. 3: Larghetto pesante e maestoso
- Var. 4: Allegro agitato ma non troppo presto
- Var. 5: Adagio sostenuto
- Var. 6: Andante come tema, ma un poco meno mosso
- I Allegro maestoso
- II Allegro moderato, un poco giocoso e teneramente
- III Largo appassionato
- IV Allegro largamente
Piano Quintet in C, Op. 6 (1900)*
First Recordings
MusicWeb International :
‘I do really like this work [Variations on a theme by Gluck], it is well worth getting to know as there is much of interest and the playing is superb. The voicing and interplay between the flautist Sarah Brooke and the members of the string quartet is spot on and the music contains much of interest. […]
As might be expected from a virtuoso pianist-composer, the pianist has some considerable demands made on him/her and Olga Dudnik copes extremely well with these at all times. Her playing in the slower sections is ravishing and the whole ensemble works together superbly. […] Overall, this is a fascinating work [Piano Quintet], which I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know. It is full of complexity and some very assured writing by a composer who really knew what he was doing and deserves to be better known and appreciated, other than just as an essayist. […]
In summary, there is some really excellent chamber music here – couple this fact with the outstanding playing by the Ormesby Ensemble, the first-rate and extensive liner notes and the lovely clear recording in which all the details are present and correct and Toccata Classics have created another winner. I shall continue to enjoy this disc for many listens to come and I am really looking forward to volume 3.’
—Jonathan Welsh, MusicWeb International