Search - Brahms, Trampler, Juilliard String Quartet :: String Quintets

Full bodied, passionate

rjm | maryland | 11/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a string player, I would like to heartily recommend this recording of the Brahms String Quintets. The Julliard is a first rate ensemble- at their best, playing with unbridled passion, conviction, and zeal as they do here on this recording. In addition, the mellower passages of this music possess the appropriate breadth and warmth one would expect. The playing IS in tune, contrary to the opinion of one of the other reviewers, and the vibrato appropriate to late Romantic style. In addition, Walter Trampler, whom I met and with whom I played a concert of Britten's Lachrymae for viola and orchestra, contributes his rich sound and sensitive and sensible phrasing to the proceedings, always with sincerity and heart. The Raphael Ensemble also plays these quintets beautifully, but I would still choose the Julliard and Trampler - mature artists at the height of their expressive powers."

Vulgar? I Think Not...

Dale Chapman | San Ramon, CA USA | 01/19/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I guess Amazon doesn't audit the reviews submitted to their website too carefully. I'm not sure who this yahoo is who entered the review below, but what does he mean "vulgar"? That adjective seems grossly out of place. And what is indicated by "out of tune"? Is he suggesting that they did not tune up their instruments before making the recording? That is preposterous. However, I prefer to think he is a negative half-wit who speaks before thinking (if indeed he "thought" at all). The bottom line: this is a nice recording, if not superlative. The Julliard are a top flight ensemble, and they are not capable of "vulgarity"."

Sublime readings of Brahms's neglected string quintets

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 07/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a new, 1996 digital recording from the Juilliard Qt., which if I am not mistaken replaces an older analog recording from the Sixties. It's confusing, because I can't find that older version on CD, and to intensify my muddle, Walter Trampler was also the extra violist back then (I think). Anyway, the older musicians of the Juilliard no longer hit every note perfeclty in tune, and the digital sonics can be a bit edgy. For all that, these are great performances, a combinaiton of heart, style, and decades of experience.



Both of Brahms's string quintets are among his most appealing chamber pieces, unrelieved in their sunniness. It's a shame they aren't better known. Aside form this CD, there's one of Quintet #2 that gathers together a starry cast (Isaac Stern, Jaime Laredo, Michael Tree, Cho-Liang Lin, Yo-Yo Ma) to honor Stern's career in chamber music--it's on Sony, too, and is the only reading I've ever heard that surpasses this one."