Franck: Piano Quintet / Enescu: Octet

Violinist James Ehnes and a distinguished chamber music ensemble present two major works of chamber music literature: César Franck’s Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 14, and George Enescu’s Octet for Strings in C major, Op. 7. Composed about two decades apart, both works combine emotional intensity and sonorous richness with an expansion of traditional chamber music forms.

In César Franck’s Piano Quintet, James Ehnes performs alongside pianist Inon Barnatan, violinist Amy Schwartz Moretti, violist Che-Yen Chen, and cellist Edward Arron. First performed in 1880, the work combines intimate lyrical passages with near-orchestral power, while recurring and developing themes create a close connection between its three movements.

George Enescu began composing his Octet as a teenager. A central musical idea is continually transformed throughout the expansive work, leading from dense contrapuntal writing and lyrical passages to the final waltz. Joining Ehnes, Moretti, Chen, and Arron are violinists Grace Park and Jun Iwasaki, violist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, and cellist Bion Tsang.