This recording of Brahms Piano Quartets originates from a series of concerts performed by Xiayin Wang and the Amity Players (Béla Horváth, violin; Tom Palny, viola; Raphaël Dubé, cello) at the Two River Theater in New Jersey, Rockefeller University's Caspary Auditorium and Carnegie Hall's Weill Hall. This ensemble performs Brahms' quartets with grace insight and sensitivity.

Johannes Brahms composed his piano quartets between the years of 1854 and 1861, completing his third and final quartet in 1873. Evident in his compositions is his flair for romantic vocabulary with a poised, almost symphonic mastery of musical architecture. His quartets continually strive beyond their chosen medium of chamber music, towards an orchestral sense of colour, scope of expression, and range of development.

TRACK LISTING (CLICK HERE TO PREVIEW CD)

1. Brahms: Piano Quartet Op.25: Allegro
2. Brahms: Piano Quartet Op.25: Intermezzo Allegro
3. Brahms: Piano Quartet Op.25: Andante con moto
4. Brahms: Piano Quartet Op.25: Rondo alla Zingarese Preso
5. Brahms: Piano Quartet Op.60: Allegro non troppo
6. Brahms: Piano Quartet Op.60: Scherzo Allegro
7. Brahms: Piano Quartet Op.60: Andante
8. Brahms: Piano Quartet Op.60: Finale Allegro comodo

"(This recording) features Wang in the first and third Brahms Piano Quartets in collaboration with the Amity Players, a Canadian trio of émigrés who, like Wang, are young and precociously gifted... The energy level in this recording is so high that at times you suddenly realize that the piano is being carried along with it, Wang breaking out of her role as musical referee to dive into the game... This is passionate, highly engaging music making, and should satisfy most who take it on; present company found it compelling enough that it was difficult to part company with this recording in order to go on to other things." - All Music Guide (September 2008)  READ FULL REVIEW

"Wang sparkles with precision, solidifying and invigorating the quartet." - Hannah Rahimi, La Scena Musicale Review (12/21/08)