Wilhelm Berger - String Quintet, Op. 75 (1899)

Wilhelm Reinhard Berger (9 August 1861 - 16 January 1911) was a German composer, pianist and conductor.
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String Quintet in E minor, Op. 75 (1899)
Dedication: Dem Joachim-Quartett
1. Allegro passione (0:00)
2. Vivace scherzando (11:20)
3. Adagio (19:00)
4. Molto vivace (29:13)
Performers unknown.
Details by Edition Silvertrust:
The String Quintet Op.75 forms a valuable addition to the restricted number of good string quintets with two cellos. In this work, which won the Beethoven Society of Bonn Prize, the two cellos are very skillfully exploited with regard to beauty of tone; and, indeed, the work as a whole is remarkable for the beautiful treatment of the strings. There is an extraordinary mastery of forms, and, above all, on the intellectual side, the work is not merely praiseworthy, but of striking value. The first movement, Allegro con passione, opens straightaway with the pleasing principal subject which soon gives way to a powerful secondary theme, which in turn makes room for a graceful, lyrical third melody. The somewhat archaic sounding main subject of the second movement, Vivace scherzando, is presented in fugal form with delightful humor and skill. Next comes an Adagio with a melody of nobility and distinction. It is developed with the utmost of delicacy. In the finale, Molto vivace, the main theme is a heavily accented melody which resembles a tarantella.--Wilhelm Altmann, the famous chamber music critic, writing in Cobbett's Cyclopedic Survey of Chamber Music

[@alontrigger]

I could have thought this piece was written by Brahms. Beautiful!

[@idilarseven4287]

Yes, but the difference is “ we never listen Brahms and think that it is some other composer” …..

[@fransmeersman2334]

In its totality a magnificent string quintet, the adagio however is marvelous. Wilhelm Berger a name to remember !

[@mmbmbmbmb]

Unfortunately I can not share your enthusiasm for this work. Like so many other composers of this time, their
compositions seem to be mere 'constructs with occasional appealing fragments'. Good for you, Frans, that you
are enjoying it . . .

[@fransmeersman2334]

@@mmbmbmbmb Hello Karin, yes I like music that is a mix of late romantic with a more modern approach. We must not love all the same thing, vive la difference ! Very kindly Frans.

[@mmbmbmbmb]

@@fransmeersman2334 Yes, absolutely, Frans ... vive la difference :o)

[@ilovemycatrussell9298]

I didn’t know this channel was still active.

[@bartjebartmans]

Previous channel Bartje11 got terminated but this one has been around since 2015.

[@coyoteagle]

this fella knows his stuff.

[@adrianhundhausen2522]

Also well said.

[@notaire2]

Wunderschöne und detaillierte Interpretation dieses spätromantischen und perfekt komponierten Quintetts in verschiedenen Tempi mit seidigen doch gut phrasierten Tönen beider Violinen, mildem Ton der Bratsche und tiefen Tönen beider Violoncelli sowie mit perfekt kontrollierter Dynamik. Die intime und perfekt entsprechende Miteinanderwirkung zwischen den fünf Virtuosen ist wharlich ergreifend. Einfach wundervoll!

[@engloute]

The guys at the instruments rock.

[@adrianhundhausen2522]

Well said.

[@ronaldbwoodall2628]

From all the works by Berger that I've heard, I'm beginning to wonder why he isn't as well known as Brahms. This Quintet is yet another of his works that is not only imbued with excellent melody and harmony, but is also full of "heart and soul". The passage beginning at 22:47 is especially moving, and the entire finale radiates a joy that is quite infectious; the passage at 2:27 reminds me of Dvorak. The end of the second movement is deliciously humorous.

[@bensilverman9105]

I love Berger, but let's face it--Brahms was the greatest, and Berger cannot compare with him. (Although Berger drew inspiration from Brahms; without Brahms, there would have been no Berger.)
As for Dvorak, it is an insult to the memory of Brahms and Berger even to mention such a fourth-rate composer of mush.

[@ronaldbwoodall2628]

@@bensilverman9105 Era-based knowledge and implementation of harmony and melody, rather than specific ideas received from fellow composers, were building-blocks that gave impetus to the composers' talent and revealed his personality. That indefinable quality called "inspiration" merely allowed these qualities to blossom into full flower, and I have no trouble inhaling their sweet perfume evidenced in both of these composers.
As for Dvorak, I believe Brahms thought quite highly of his music (and vice-versa), and were indeed friends. Their music shares much in common; I assume that it's only their individual voices that annoy you.

[@ewaldsteyn469]

@@bensilverman9105 Pity you that you cannot appreciate the genius of Dvorak.

[@steveegallo3384]

@ronaldbwoodall2628 -- Indeed....BRAVI TUTTI from Acapulco!

[@yuehchopin]

schöne Sendung

[@maximaxoo]

Amazing piece, thanks for that @Bartje
! A shame we don't know much about the performers, though. Sounds like a quite ancient recording (scratches).

[@bartjebartmans]

I think it is a recording from a live radio broadcast.

[@maximaxoo]

@@bartjebartmans I can hear scratchs from time to time, I thought maybe it was an old 33 rpm record.
Anyway thanks for your channel, I'm a fan!

[@fredericchopin7538]

Was it raining?

[@adrianhundhausen2522]

Almost certainly.

[@user-jn3si4rc5k]

A good follower of Brahms