Brahms: String Quartet No. 1 / Piano Quintet

For their second Virgin Classics release the members of the Quatuor Ebene turn from the native French repertoire of their first release (Debussy, Ravel, Fauré) to music firmly in the Austro- German tradition: Brahms's first string quartet and first piano quartet. Joining them for the quintet is acclaimed Japanese pianist Akiko Yamamoto. Following a London performance from 2006, the Independent reported on this artistic partnership: "This talented group wound up their concert with a brilliant performance of Brahms's Piano Quintet in F Minor, with the piano acting as a firm anchor, while the strings sang their hearts out. Come back soon." "In the space of just a few years [the Quatuor Ebene] has made its way to become one of the world's top quartets. Beyond youthful French charm, the quartet is notable for its distinctive musical approach and technical supremacy. . . . Naturally the Quatuor Ebene has a special connection with the spirit and tonal precision of the French repertoire, but its interpretations in other idioms are also on the highest level." (Salzburger Nachrichten)