Hahn: Piano Quintet / Songs / Piano Quartet

Lebanese-American tenor Karim Sulayman has attracted international attention as a sophisticated and versatile artist. For this album of works by Reynaldo Hahn, he joins the Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective. Founding members Tom Poster and Elena Urioste write about this album: “Hahn’s music is immediately accessible, of uplifting beauty, and speaks directly to the heart. The audience seems to love it when they finally get to hear it. (…) The piano quintet had been on our wish list for the program for some time: it was praised as Hahn’s greatest work at its premiere in 1922, and the powerful intensity of its first two movements is particularly a clear answer to those who criticized Hahn as a light salon composer. (…) A few years ago, our dear friend Karim Sulayman accompanied Tom at several performances of a series of Hahn songs, and their shared love of music led to a discussion about how beautiful some of the piano parts could sound in chamber music arrangements.” The result is a soulful, expressive exploration of the music of a now half-forgotten composer who was once the darling of Parisian high society.