The first great French piano quintet, the Quintet in F minor by César Franck was completed in 1879 and premiered in January 1880. Of until then unparalleled intensity and lyricism in the French chamber repertory, it would act as a renewal of the latter, opening the way to Chausson, d’Indy and Fauré, and it also renewed the style of Franck himself, inaugurating a rich period of great masterpieces. The Pražák Quartet and François Dumont celebrate the 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth with this masterpiece of expressive power.
The Pražák complete the programme with the last of Dvořák’s string quartets, composed on his return home after three years in the USA. Among the myriad subtleties of expression and colour we find the same lyrical inspiration that animates Franck’s Quintet. Both works are performed with fervour, magnificence and beauty of sound by the players.
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