Hans Gál: Chamber Music, Volume 3

Hans Gál • Katalin Kertész (violin); Nichola Blakely (viola); Cressida Nash (cello); Sarah Beth Briggs (piano)

About this release

Volume 3 in Toccata Classics’ ongoing exploration of Hans Gál’s chamber music features works from his formative years. The centrepiece is the youthful Piano Quartet in B‑flat major Op. 13 (1914–15), a substantial four‑movement essay full of lush harmonies and an exuberant finale. The disc also includes the three Sonatinas for violin and piano Op. 71 (1951) and a charming Sonatina in F major, revealing Gál’s deft handling of small forms. Pianist Sarah Beth Briggs and her colleagues deliver warm, incisive performances that balance Romantic expression with classical poise.

Where to buy or listen

• Toccata Classics product page (CD/download)
• Apple Music (streaming)

What critics said

MusicWeb International commended the players for their affectionate approach, noting that the Piano Quartet’s expansive melodies are handled with generosity and that the Sonatinas’ transparent textures are given delicate nuance. Reviewer Philip R. Buttall praised the recording as “another milestone in the continuing Gál revival”. You can find the full review at MusicWeb International. Other critics echoed the verdict, highlighting the ensemble’s superb balance and the clarity of the recorded sound.

Further context

Gál composed the Piano Quartet during the First World War, though its sunny mood belies those circumstances. The later sonatinas date from his maturity, demonstrating how his melodic gift persisted across decades. As with the earlier volumes, this release deepens appreciation for Gál’s chamber output and underscores the performers’ role in bringing these works to light.