Piano Quintets

"Two magical, enchanting chamber works in alluring performances by the Fine Arts Quartet and Cristina Ortiz...magical."
(Recording of the Month MusicWeb Sept 2009)

"The quintets are played with great devotion, showing fine balance and rich in delicate nuance. The ensemble is perfect, which is as expected from such an experienced group as the Fine Arts. The recording quality is first class, both clean and atmospheric. Another fine disc from Naxos." (MusicWeb Nov 2009)

Dubbed the 'Master of Charm' by Debussy, Fauré responded to the quasi-orchestral opportunities offered by the piano quintet with two gorgeous works whose frequent economy of means belies the wealth of his inventiveness. The highly chromatic Scherzo of the second Piano Quintet in particular gives Fauré's works of this period an authentic place in twentieth-century composition.

Despite the stylistic and harmonic development evident in these works, as ever with Fauré there are also moments of sheer beauty and melodic inspiration.

The Fine Arts Quartet have been praised as "One of the gold-plated names in chamber music" by The Washington Post