Welcome to Hyperion Records, an independent British classical label devoted to presenting high-quality recordings of music of all styles and from all periods from the twelfth century to the twenty-first.

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Label: Helios
Recording details: April 1995
St George's, Brandon Hill, United Kingdom
Produced by Andrew Keener
Engineered by Tony Faulkner
Release date: February 1996
Total duration: 57 minutes 59 seconds

Cover artwork: Orchard in Kutterling (1888) by William Leibl (1844-1900)
and Johann Sperl (1840-1914)
 

Brahms composed his two published String Quintets amid the rural tranquillity of Bad Ischl in Upper Austria and the works can almost be seen as an expression of escape from the 'urban stress' of nineteenth-century Vienna. The Quintets show Brahms standing at the pinnacle of the composition of chamber music, their gentle pastoral character being subtly shaded by a profoundly melancholy introspection.

This disc follows up on the extrordinary success of The Raphael Ensemble's recording of Brahms's two String Sextets (CDA66276).

All of the music on this album is also available as part of the specially priced box set The Complete Brahms Chamber Music: ‘In the last 25 years, Hyperion has managed to persuade some of the finest of chamber musicians to reveal their affection for Brahms in recordings of remarkably consistent quality … altogether life affirming music in life enhancing performances: surely one of the best buys of the year?’ (BBC Music Magazine).

Awards

CLASSIC CD 100 GREATEST DISCS OF THE DECADE

Reviews

‘Their playing is unerringly distinguished, and Hyperion's sonics defy criticism—a glorious offering’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘These richly scored string quintets must rank among the finest works of Brahms's maturity … in the traditions of the best chamber music playing The Raphael Ensemble project a tremendous sense of enjoyment of the music—it certainly feels as if they are rediscovering masterworks afresh’ (Classic CD)

«L'interprétation des Raphael est essentiellement vitale. Sa plus belle qualité: l'intensité. Ils imposent une vision symphonique des deux partitions» (Diapason, France)

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