Presents
Erik Furuhjelm
Piano Quintet in c minor
Erik Furuhjelm (1883-1964) was born in Helsinki. He studied at the Helsinki Conservatory with Martin Wegelius, who had also taught Sibelius and Melartin, and then with Robert Fuchs in Vienna who had also taught Sibelius and Melartin. After that, he studied with Max Reger in Munich. Like Sibelius, he was an ethnic Swede. After completing his studies, he returned to Helsinki where he taught at the Helsinki Conservatory and also served as its director for many years. He wrote the first authorized biography of Jean Sibelius with whom he had briefly studied while at the Helsinki Conservatory. Though not a prolific composer, he did write in most genres, including chamber music and had a string quartet in addition to this piano quintet to his credit.
His Piano Quintet in c minor dates from 1906 while he was studying with Reger in Munich. It is a massive work in four movements and composed in the late Romantic style of Central Europe, Brahms in particular. It does not show much influence of Reger and his so-called New Way. The opening movement begins with a short Moderato introduction, first played by the piano before the strings enter in unison. The main section, an Allegro, is Brahmsian in feel. The writing, in parts, is quite dense making the quintet almost sound orchestral. The second movement, Allegro giusto, features scale passages, especially prominent in the piano. This is not a light, fleet-footed scherzo, but more like a resolute march. In third place is a slightly melancholy Andante. The finale, Allegro appassionato, powerfully bursts forth with the piano pounding out a heroic subject over unisono tremolos in the strings. Again, it is orchestral in feel. Eventually things quiet down and a very lyrical section follows before the return of the heoric theme. A real tour d'force, it is almost like a piano concerto.
It was not published until decades after it was composed and then not commercially but at the composer's expense off of manuscripts in the Helsinki Conservatory. Powerful and riveting, this quintet, if heard in concert, which it certainly deserves, is sure to make a strong impression on audiences.
Parts: $49.95
