Quintett Für Klavier, Violine, Viola, Violoncello Und Kontrabaß - Grand Sextuor Für Klavier, 2 Violinen, Viola, Violoncello Und Kontrabaß

This release, recorded by the Sestetto Classico and issued by the German label Musikproduktion Dabringhaus und Grimm (MDG) in 1982, brings together two significant chamber works for piano and strings. Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s Piano Quintet in E-flat minor, Op. 87, represents a bridge between the Classical clarity of the late 18th century and the emerging romanticism of the 19th, showcasing Hummel’s profound understanding of keyboard virtuosity and balanced ensemble writing. Henri Bertini, primarily celebrated in his own time as a piano pedagogue and composer of etudes, is represented here by his Grand Sextuor, a piece that highlights the salon-style elegance prevalent in the mid-19th century.

The recording is part of MDG’s long-standing mission to capture lesser-known repertoire with audiophile-grade precision. By utilizing natural acoustics and minimal processing, the label sought to present these mid-to-late romantic works with the spatial clarity of a live concert performance. The Sestetto Classico, an ensemble formed specifically to explore the repertoire for the piano-string sextet combination, received critical attention for their commitment to reviving these overlooked compositions, providing a rigorous and historically informed perspective on the transition from the Classical era to the more expansive romantic chamber structures.