Quatuors pour piano numéros 1 et 2

Description

Most famous female composers of the 19th century are the wives or sisters of musicians: Mendelssohn, Schumann, Mahler. Emilie Mayer is not one of them. Is that why she has fallen into obscurity? Yet she wrote much more (8 symphonies) than her colleagues. Born into a wealthy family, she studied composition with Carl Loewe, the great composer of lieder. She then set out to conquer Berlin, where her works were well received. But as soon as she passed away in 1883, her name faded from concert programs. Her music is close to classical models. The Piano Quartet in E-flat opens with a well-balanced movement that reflects both Mayer's solid craftsmanship and her melodic sense. The scherzo recalls certain pages of Beethoven, while the brief finale allows the piano to shine. The other Quartet in G major appears closer to Schubert due to the elegance of each movement and the beautiful inspiration of the Adagio. The young musicians of the Mariani Quartet possess all the qualities to champion this repertoire: melodic flexibility and enthusiasm. Without shaking the foundations of music history, these pieces will delight those looking to venture off the beaten path. (Thomas Herreng)