Hans Pfitzner's Piano Quintet in C Major, Op.23, was composed in 1908 during his activities as a director of the Strasburg Conservatory. There are those who have said that this is the kind of work Brahms would have written if he had been alive in 1908, largely based on the resemblance of the opening of the Quintet to that of Brahms’ Op.36 String Sextet. Perhaps, but not for long because Pfitzner’s music quickly becomes almost hyper chromatic and sprinkled with some dissonances. The opening Allegro ma non troppo rises to symphonic levels, full of power and passion. Next comes an Intermezzo, graceful and calm. The third movement, Adagio, is deeply felt. The main section gives the feeling of an improvisation, while the middle section, a funeral march, has a deeply melancholic and depressing mood. After a short rhythmic dance-like section, the finale Allegretto commodo presents quotations and thoughts from the earlier movements in a cantabile fashion before ending pianissimo.
Hans Pfitzner (1869–1949) was born in Moscow to German parents. His father was a professional violinist, and he received violin lessons from his father. Later, he studied piano and composition at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt. He enjoyed a long career as a conductor and teacher. His music was held in high regard by contemporaries such as Richard Strauss and Gustav Mahler. Pfitzner was an avowed opponent of the Second Vienna School with its serialism and atonal music. Instead, he sought new paths for traditional tonality. He composed in nearly every genre and is best known for his operas. He did not ignore chamber music, writing a number of string quartets, two piano trios, and a piano quintet.
This is an important work with much that is original. A good candidate for the concert hall, which can also be recommended to experienced amateur players.
