Of all the chamber music genres for which
Mendelssohn was to compose, there is one -- the Piano Sextet -- which is often overlooked. Written, like the majority of his works, at a very young age (he was only 15 at the time), it already shows him to be a master of form, melody, and dramatic content in his music. The youthfully exuberant work is scored for piano, two violins, viola, cello, and double bass, though the violin is by far the most dominant instrument throughout, carrying the bulk of the melodic burden. Still, the lower string parts are rhythmically and harmonically interesting and are missed when not clearly audible. The Brilliant Classics album does not achieve an ideal level of balance; the first violin dominates throughout, and the remainder of the strings are all but inaudible throughout. A slightly better blend of sound is achieved in the much more popular Octet, which was written only one year after the Piano Sextet. Scored for double quartet, the octet does not have the wide range of the piano nor the low depth of the double bass to contend with. The eight members of the
Amati String Orchestra are all heard relatively clearly, but their playing is lacking in excitement, conviction, and accuracy. The Scherzo and Presto Finale are frantic, almost gasping for breath, despite not being exceptionally quick. Intonation is generally solid, but not as precise and sparkling as it could be. Articulation is also a bit rough and lacking in meticulousness. As there are few recordings available of the Piano Sextet, listeners may be interested in this album for exposure to that piece, but there are far superior alternatives available for the Octet.