‘Mischa Maisky’

When you think of Mahler, chamber music doesn’t immediately spring to mind. Yet in his youth the composer wrote a handful of works in the genre. The significance and intensity of his later symphonies can be heard and felt in these early compositions. His unfinished Piano Quartet in A minor is a protracted, deeply tragic cry from the heart, to such an extent that Martin Scorsese thought it would be perfect as part of the soundtrack of his dark thriller Shutter Island.
When it comes to intensity César Franck’s Piano Quintet in F minor is not far behind Mahler’s quartet. The work is pervaded by a mysterious, dramatic and melancholy atmosphere.
Franck’s quintet is so subdued while Schumann’s is so exuberant. His famous Piano Quintet, op. 44 is an unparalleled highlight of an expressive romantic.
For this occasion, master cellist Mischa Maisky expands his family trio, with daughter Lily on the piano and son Sascha on the violin, to include Julian Rachlin and Sara McElravy. The new formation is just as perfectly balanced: not only have Rachlin and McElravy frequently played together with the Maiskys, the pair are also perfectly in tune with one another because they are partners on stage and off!

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