Reflections - Brahms and Gál: Piano Quartets
Piano Quartet in A major (Gál)
Confringo Klavierquartett
Genuin GEN26954, 2026
Where to buy or listen
Brahms & Gál: Piano Quartets (Reflections – Chamber Music between Romanticism and Exile)
Johannes Brahms, Hans Gál • Confringo Klavierquartett – Roberto Carpano (piano); Katharina Uhde (violin); Teresa Schäfer (viola); Justus Grimm (cello)
About this release
Genuin’s blurb explains that this album, subtitled “Reflections,” juxtaposes Brahms’ dramatic Piano Quartet No.3 in C minor Op.60 with Hans Gál’s Piano Quartet in A major. The latter was originally written for Paul Wittgenstein as a left‑hand piece during the 1920s and was later arranged for standard quartet. The label highlights how the pairing reveals stylistic affinities and contrasts between late Romantic expressiveness and a more classically proportioned exile work. The Confringo Klavierquartett emphasises both warmth and clarity in its interpretation.
Source: Genuin Classics · release page · accessed 1 Apr 2026
Where to buy or listen
- Physical purchase: Genuin Classics (CD)
- Download / Pre‑order: Presto Music
What critics said
MusicWeb International — “Reflections – Brahms & Gál Piano Quartets”
Reviewer: Stephen Greenbank · Publication date: 2026 · Rating / distinction: Positive review · Format note: Full review
Greenbank observes that Gál’s Piano Quartet is a “beautifully proportioned work full of melodic warmth” and notes that the Confringo Klavierquartett plays with “eloquence and drive”.
The reviewer highlights the fruitful juxtaposition of Brahms’ brooding Quartet No.3 and Gál’s lyrical quartet, remarking that both pieces benefit from the ensemble’s robust yet sensitive approach. He praises the recording’s balance and the liner notes.
— — Additional reviews not yet published
As of April 2026, no other major reviews have been published. Additional commentary may appear following the album’s official release.
