Presents
Max Jentsch
Piano Quintet in G Major, Op.50
Max Jentsch (1855-1918) was born in the German (then Prussian) town of Ziesar. He first studied to be a surveyor but after graduating from university changed course and entered the Stern Conservatory in Berlin where he studied piano and composition with Wilhelm Rust and Robert Radecke. After completing his studies, he traveled and concertized widely, first working as a music teacher in Sarajevo and then in Istanbul for several years before returning to Berlin. He eventually settled in Vienna where he taught and concertized until he retired. In Vienna, Jentsch frequently performed with August Duesberg, one of Vienna's leading violinists, and founder of the Wiener Volksquartett whose purpose was to popularize chamber music among the masses, the Volk, and not just the upper crust of society.
Jentsch's Piano Quintet dates from 1900 and was premiered by Jentsch and the Duesberg Volksquartett. It created quite a sensation and received several further performances up until the outbreak of the First World War. It is a massive work, powerful, dramatic and highly original. The first movement, Mässig schnell (moderately quick) actually starts off rather leisurely in a valedictory vein. As the movement progresses, the tempo slows further and there is sense of farewell to it. The high pitched theme to the second movement, Scherzo, first heard in the violins is quite original and a little unsettleing. Surprisingly, the tempo is rather leisurely for a scherzo. Next comes a slow movement, Langsam und Wurdevoll (slow and dignifiied) which is dreamy and which creates a mood akin to lying in the sun near a pond on a warm summer's day. The dark rumbling of the piano in the finale, Sehr schnell (very quick), immediately creates a sense of unrest. As the movement develops, the moods brightens and a jovial sense of triumph pervades the music.
This highly original work unquestionably belongs on the concert stage. Long out of print, we are pleased to make it available once again.
Parts: $44.95
