Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44

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Robert Schumann, one of the major figures in the Romantic musical era, composed this Piano Quintet in 1842, for piano and string quartet. In the same year, its first private performance, with Felix Mendelssohn playing the fiendish piano part. Schumann only began writing chamber music after his marriage to Clara in 1840. He dedicated the Piano Quintet to his wife. Clara played the piano in its first public performance in 1843. This piece is noted for its extroverted, exuberant character, and one of Schumann’s finest compositions. It’s also considered to be a major work of 19th century chamber music.  

​Here are four albums:

Schumann Piano Quintet Op. 44 & Piano Quartet Op. 47. Alexander Melnikov and Jerusalem Quartet. Release Date: 17 Sept 2007. Label: Harmonia Mundi.

​Schumann – Brahms Piano Quintets. Artemis Quartet and Leif Ove Andsnes. Release Date: 8 May 2012. Label: Erato.

Robert Schumann, Complete Piano Trios, Piano Quartet & Piano Quintet. Trio Wanderer, Christophe Gaugue and Catherine Montier. Release Date: 30 Apr 2021. Label: Harmonia Mundi.

​Schumann String Quartet Op. 41 No. 3 & Piano Quintet Op. 44. Takacs Quartet and Marc-Andre Hamelin. Release Date: 26 Oct 2009. Label: Hyperion.

Reference: Svejda, J. (2024). Piano Quintet in E-flat major, Op. 44, Robert Schumann. LA Phil. https://www.laphil.com/musicdb/pieces/2819/piano-quintet-in-e-flat-major-op-44