James Ehnes, Tessa Lark, Jonathan Vinocour, Ani Aznavoorian, Timothy Cobb, Amy Schwartz Moretti, Paul Neubauer, Che-Yen Chen, Edward Arron - Dvořák: String Quintets (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77: I. Allegro con fuoco
02. String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77: II. Scherzo: Allegro vivace
03. String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77: III. Poco andante
04. String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77: IV. Finale: Allegro assai
05. Intermezzo
06. String Quintet in E Flat Major, Op. 97: I. Allegro non tanto
07. String Quintet in E Flat Major, Op. 97: II. Allegro vivo
08. String Quintet in E Flat Major, Op. 97: III. Larghetto
09. String Quintet in E Flat Major, Op. 97: IV. Finale: Allegro giusto

On this new release from SCMS Records, a label of the Seattle Chamber Music Society, violinist James Ehnes is joined by an ensemble of world-class chamber musicians to explore the rich, expansive soundscape of Antonín Dvořák’s string quintets. Recorded at Nordstrom Recital Hall in Seattle, the album brings together two of Dvořák’s most distinctive chamber music works—each shaped by the composer’s evolving voice and his deep connection to places.

The String Quintet in G Major, enriched by the addition of a double bass, unfolds with warmth and ease, its sonic textures enriched by a resonant low register and melodies that effortlessly shift between lyricism and dance. The Quintet in E-flat Major, composed during Dvořák’s time in America, conveys a different energy—its dark timbres, driving rhythms, and echoes of the sounds he experienced abroad create music of striking vitality and character. A rarely heard intermezzo, later reinterpreted as a “Notturno,” offers a contemplative contrast and reveals yet another facet of Dvořák’s expressive range.

Together, these recordings capture Dvořák at his most inventive and expressive—music rooted in his Bohemian tradition yet infused with new influences. With their clarity, depth, and spirit of collaboration, the artists breathe life into every detail of these vibrant scores.