Concertante plays the Brahms Piano Quintet’s first movement with a flowing legato while giving special attention to the music’s dynamic shadings, making for a distinctly poetic rendition–an approach that carries throughout the remaining movements. But, turn to the RCA recording with Barry Douglas and the Tokyo String Quartet and you’ll find more dynamic energy, as well as a riveting dramatic impetus. Concertante’s poetically informed style better suits the Dvorák A major Piano Quintet, especially in the wistful and beautifully lyrical slow movement (featuring some exquisite solo cello work), but also in the vibrant outer movements as well. Yet again, the competition, this time from the masterful and authoritative Rudolf Firkušny with the Ridge String Quartet, proves noticeably more compelling. But this is mainly by comparison, and the fact remains that anyone who listens to this disc, especially with Meridian’s spacious, vivid, and impactful sonics, is in for a highly enjoyable 80 minutes of great 19th century chamber music.
