Spisak, Michał (1914-1965)
Quintet (11:04) Paris, 1948 Publisher: Euterpe (c2005)
I. Allegro moderato
II. Andante
III. Andante-Allegro
Instrumentation: flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon
Commissioned by the Polish Composer’s Union, this work is dedicated to Martha Thibault, the composer’s mother in-law. Hailed as one of the best Polish wind quintets of the 20th century, it is an elegant, cheerful, restless composition, in ever- changing tone colors.
This is yet another very virtuoso sounding composition that characterized by large interval leaps, use of the higher register in all the instruments, and a lot of irregular chromatic lines in fast tempo.
The first movement is written in an interesting form. After the first and second themes are introduced in the exposition and subjected to further development, the composer combines them together at the recapitulation. The second movement is through composed with constant melody that moves between the instruments and is supported by a polyphonic accompaniment. The third movement starts with a sublime andante that leads to a very chromatic, graceful allegro where all the voices participate equally in ever-changing expressive and colorful playing.
This piece requires careful rehearsal for all the fast material in movements I and III, and careful tuning of lines that are often played in unison by two instruments. There are moments where the melody can be overpowered by the other instruments, so there is a great need to listen for correct balance, especially at the beginning of movement I and throughout movement II.
Grade: VI
Recordings: Polish Music for Winds and Piano, Gruppo di Tempera (iTunes)
Sheet music source: euterpe.pl