GOLDMARK, K.: Piano Quintet, Opp. 30 and 54 (Triendl, Quatuor Sine Nomine)

Album review

Karl Goldmark's musical career suffered from a couple of false starts. Financial concerns sometimes prevented him from continuing music lessons as a child; at one point, the conservatory at which he studied was shut down due to political strife; his first compositions were met with intense dislike and criticism. It was not until his 30th year, when he returned to Vienna from a sojourn to Budapest, that the composer would finally be given the fame and admiration he sought. Perhaps because he did not enter the musical scene with an immediate sensation as did some of his contemporaries, his works have frequently fallen into obscurity. This CPO recording of his Piano Quintets Op. 30 and Op. 54 demonstrates that such disrepute is unfounded. These two powerful, sweepingly Romantic quintets are thoroughly engaging and musically satisfying. What does not help Goldmark's cause, however, is the dismally out-of-tune performance of the Quatuor Sine Nomine. Its interpretive skills are generally strong and go a long way toward infusing life and interest into the score. And while pianist Oliver Triendl delivers a finely detailed and animated performance, the string playing is simply uncomfortable to listen to.
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