Ensemble Ulf Hoelscher - Max Bruch: String Octet, String Quintet, Piano Quintet (2000)

Anyone who knows and loves the warmth of expression in Bruch's famous first violin concerto will find the same lyrical gifts amply displayed here - the slow movements are particularly heartfelt and Bruch, even at this late stage in his life, seems to have had an undiminished fund of touching melody. That is not to suggest that the Romantic ardour of these works is solely confined to the slow movements, though: the opening 'allegro' of the octet, for instance, contains writing of deeply felt passion too, as does the development section of the string quintet's first movement.

Although the string quintet and octet were written towards the end Bruch's life, there really is no sense that this is the music of an old man. The outer movements have a strong sense of rhythm and this makes for spirited finales in particular, while the scherzos are notable for their exuberant energy. The scherzo of the string quintet, with its tarantella elements, is especially winning - this is delightful music that can't fail to lift your spirits.

The Ensemble Ulf Hoelscher plays impeccably but, most importantly, with verve and spirit too. Bruch's ensemble writing assigns a prominent - and by no means technically easy - role to the first violin and Hoelscher dispatches his part with assurance. There is an alternative recording of the octet on Naxos - Bruch; Mendelssohn - Octets - which is also well played, but it is coupled with Mendelssohn's own youthful octet; an apt coupling without doubt but recordings of the Mendelssohn (and very good ones too) are ten-a-penny, so on those grounds the more enterprising repertoire on this disc makes it my recommended choice between the two.

Put simply, what we have here is a generously filled disc of quite lovely, unaffected and beautifully crafted music. My first reaction after the disc had finished playing was to press start and listen to it all over again - I can't give it any better recommendation than that.