Brandis Quartett, Karl Leister, Brett Dean - Brahms: String & Clarinet Quintet (2003)

Tracklist

01. String Quintet in F Major, Op. 88: I. Allegro non troppo ma con brio
02. String Quintet in F Major, Op. 88: II. Grave ed appassionato - Allegretto vivace - Tempo I - Presto - Tempo I
03. String Quintet in F Major, Op. 88: III. Allegro energico
04. Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115: I. Allegro
05. Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115: II. Adagio - Piu lento
06. Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115: III. Andantino - Presto non assai, ma con sentimento
07. Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115: IV. Con moto

Made up of players from the string section of the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Brandis Quartet was in its time one of the smoothest, warmest, and most orchestral sounding of string quartets. In this 1996 recording of Brahms' F major String Quintet and B minor Clarinet Quintet, they turn in performances with lush legato, focused vibrato, polished balances, and plush sonorities, performances, in other words, that make the works sound more like chamber symphonies rather than chamber music. Joined by fellow Berlin player Karl Leister on clarinet in the Clarinet Quintet, they bring in a performance as ripe and juicy as an apple at harvest. And joined by Australian violist Brett Dean in the String Quintet, they deliver a performance that rivals the finest in terms of cogency and coherence. Captured in deep and detailed sound, this disc will likely delight fans of the Berliner Philharmoniker, and may be of interest to listeners who like their chamber music played for maximum opulence.