We are very pleased to present the third of Robert Kahn's three marvelous piano quartets, which, along with his other two, are as good as any from the late Romantic era. The Guide to Piano Quartets remarks that it belongs alongside those piano quartets of Brahms.
Robert Kahn (1865-1951) was born in Mannheim of a well-to-do banking family. He began his studies at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin. There, he got to know and became friends with Joseph Joachim, who was the director. It was through both Joachim and his own family that he had a chance to get to know Brahms, who was so impressed with Kahn that he offered to give him composition lessons. However, Kahn was too overawed to accept. Nevertheless, Brahms did help Kahn informally, and while Kahn's work does, to some extent, show the influence of Brahms, he is an eclectic and independent composer whose music has its own originality. After finishing his studies in Berlin, Kahn, on Brahms's suggestion, went to Munich to study with Joseph Rheinberger. After completing his own studies, he worked for a while as a freelance composer before obtaining a position at the Hochschule in Berlin, where he eventually became a professor of piano and composition.
Piano Quartet No. 3 in c minor, Op. 41 was completed in 1904. The opening movement, Allegro moderato, is powerful and dramatic. The main theme almost breaks the bounds of chamber music, while the second subject is calmer and more lyrical, providing a respite from the orchestral main section. Next comes a scherzo, Vivace con brio, with a bumptious hunting theme; the slower trio section has Hungarian colors. The finale, Allegro molto, is fleet and dance-like.
Professional groups looking for a first-rate and fresh work will surely find that this piano quartet fits the bill. Meanwhile, amateurs will enjoy many a pleasant session playing this fine work.
