Mozart´s two, Brahms' three, Faure´s two, and Messiaen´s single one are indeed those that come to my mind firstly, together with Kuhlau´s three.

I don´t recall those of Reger, S-Saens, Walton, Bax, Lekeu and D´Indy, to mention a few further ones of major interest. It´s been too long since I listened to them. But Reger´s are considered among his most important chamber works - I have the naxos recordings, skipping another one.

 

My favorite piano quartet in recent years is Taneyev's Quartet in E major, op. 20. The best version I own is from the Barbican Trio on Dutton Labs.

 

Just listened to the first movement! Thanks for introducing me to this remarkable work -- I had heard only Taneyev's brilliant Quintet previously. These pieces changed my previous image of Taneyev as a learned contrapuntist, to being one of a learned contrapuntist who applied his polyphonic genius in innovative late- or postromantic chamber music -- it wasn't only Germans and Austrians who did that.

 

Brahms 1-3
Schumann (the slow movement melts my heart)
Mozart G minor
Fauré 1 and 2
Dvorak 2
Chausson (beautiful and underrated)
Suk
Turina
Raff C minor
Richard Franck A major

 

Chausson (beautiful and underrated)
Suk

The Suk and the Chausson quartets are knockouts! The "standard repertoire" of piano quartets is too small; these two must be added!

 

There are two by Frank Bridge worth exploring whose chamber music IMO is generally his best compositions. There is one by Cyril Scott whose music is so underappreciated it's absolutely criminal. His piano quartet is quite engaging. I have to listen again to the one by Piston whose chamber music can be a bit austere. Also there is Beethoven's Op. 16 quintet for piano and winds which he arranged for the normal piano quartet forces -- I love this piece in both versions. It's one of my favorites of Beethoven. There is also a very early one by Bartok.

 

I like just about all of the works listed, but I would add the last of the three early works that Beethoven composed. Its short about 17 minutes, but a fun work to hear.

 

Thanks for your recommendation!
Not to be confused with the work you have mentioned, Beethoven's Piano Quartet, op. 16 in E-flat major is enjoyable too. His own arrangement of his Quintet for Piano and Winds, it maintains that work's humour, and I think the stringed instruments enhance the expressiveness of the slow movement. It's not a masterpiece but still it is one of the best piano quartets from the classical period.

 

Brahms No. 2, opus 26....the warmest and most moving of his three for me.
Faure No.1, opus 15...my Faure favorite
Faure No. 2, opus 45

 

Faure No.1, opus 15...my Faure favorite
Faure No. 2, opus 45

A few thoughts concerning the Faure Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, op. 15:
- sense of modality established from the start with the chord progression C minor-G minor-C minor (i-v-i), and strong melodic B-flat in the G minor chord. Studying at the Ecole Niedermeyer, Faure learned to accompany Gregorian chant on the organ with chords derived from a chant's mode (scale) rather than with major-minor harmony as had been done previously. In his secular music, it's not use of church modes but rather Faure's mixing of modal, major-minor, and chromatic harmony that's notable. (He also learned Wagnerian chromatic harmony from Saint-Saens at the progressive Niedermeyer School.)
- in a piano quartet the three stringed instruments give a sense of balance: low (cello), middle (viola) and high (violin) ranges
- these three instruments form full triads without doubling notes, as in the suave close-harmony strings of the Scherzo's Trio
- the three-fold imitation of these instruments entering successively conveys classic balance, as in the Finale's opening

At the risk of over-generalizing, a Piano Quartet tends to be more balanced & classic, a Piano Quintet more grand & romantic? Suggesting that the distinction between each type involves more than just the instrument count.

 

Quite a few of my favorites are already listed, but I'd also add a quartet I've really come to enjoy over the years, a Quartet by Howard Blake, his Op. 179 work.

 

These are my favorites:

Brahms - All of them are real masterpieces, but I'm especially fond of the No. 3.
Rheinberger - This is one of my very favorites. It's an impeccable work, full of memorable melodies.
Dvorák - Both. These PQs are notable because of their tunes and the characteristic happiness on them.
Martinu - The 2nd mov. has a sort of creepy atmosphere really interesting.
Herzogenberg (No. 2) - Gorgeous without any doubt.
Jongen - Very worthy of listening.
Howells - It's a recent discovery. Besides choral music, Howells seems that wrote some appealing chamber music.
Mahler - The one movement PQ shows the Mahler's gifts for composing for chamber music.
Rubinstein - Both. Tremendous pieces, highly recommended. Don't hesitate!
Scharwenka, Franz Xaver - Impressive, with an overwhelming strength.

 

We're on TalkClassical so let's say something rather than put up long lists. This ain't an encyclopedia.

Please allow me to amend the above comment from my initial post to this thread. The lists on TalkClassical usually strike me as thoughtful and the result of extensive listening experience, including the long ones. In one exceptional case that looked like copying, the blowback from TalkClassical members was immediate! So let me say that I really appreciate the comments, additions, and lists on this thread.

 

Over the years, I've listened most to the piano quartet by Schumann, the three by Brahms, two by Faure (especially the 1st), and Mozart's. So, I'd have to say those are my favorites.

However, more off the beaten path, other favorites have included the Op. 7 and Op. 14 Piano Quartets by Johann Schobert, who met the young Mozart in Paris in the 1760s, and whose three piano quartets likely served as models for Mozart's own. Certainly Schobert's deserve to be better known, I may even prefer them to Mozart's. There's a very good recording from Chiara Banchini and Ensemble 415 on Harmonia Mundi that I'd recommend. It's on YT:

https://www.amazon.com/Schobert-Qua...1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1515609364&sr=1-1&keywords=schobert+ensemble+415+banchini

The French "impressionist" composers also wrote a number of fine piano quartets--Faure, of course, who's already been mentioned, but also Chausson, Saint-Saens (op. 41), and D'Indy. In addition, there's a lesser known piano quartet by Darius Milhaud (his Op. 417, from 1966), which is worth getting to know. There's an excellent performance by Ensemble Polytonaal on a very recommendable CD of selected chamber works by Milhaud (if you don't know Milhaud's early Violin Sonata No. 2, Op. 40, you're in for a treat):

https://www.amazon.com/Milhaud-Cham..._1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1515611208&sr=1-1&keywords=ensemble+polytonaal+milhaud

And, here's a link to Milhaud's 2nd Violin Sonata:

I'd also cite a beautiful 'unfinished' piano quartet by Guillaume Lekeu from 1893-94, which again is of a surprisingly high quality (I actually prefer it to Chausson's):

I'll also occasionally listen to Felix Mendelsohnn's three youthful piano quartets (his Opuses 1, 2, & 3), & most especially the third PQ. A period recording by The Atlantis Ensemble on Musica Omnia is very good:

I've yet to get to the piano quartets by the UK composers--Walton, Bridge (Phantasy), Mackenzie, Stanford, Howells, Scott, etc., but hope to at some point.

There's also a beautiful PQ from Joaquin Turina, his Op. 67, for those interested in Spanish composers:

 

However, more off the beaten path, other favorites have included the Op. 7 and Op. 14 Piano Quartets by Johann Schobert, who met the young Mozart in Paris in the 1760s, and whose three piano quartets likely served as models for Mozart's own. Certainly Schobert's deserve to be better known, I may even prefer them to Mozart's. There's a very good recording from Chiara Banchini and Ensemble 415 on Harmonia Mundi that I'd recommend. It's on YT.
https://www.amazon.com/Schobert-Qua...1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1515609364&sr=1-1&keywords=schobert+ensemble+415+banchini

Josquin13, Thank you for for passing along your knowledge of piano quartets, including the two Schoberts. I'm sorry for taking so long but I've just now listened and like them very much! Having two upper strings allows for neat suspensions and imitation between the instruments. The cello is still like a basso continuo (as in the Haydn trios). I haven't found the third Schobert. His quartets are better than those by two others of this ilk -- Jean-Frederic Edelmann (1749-1794) and Johann Christian Bach.

 

Dvorak: Piano Quintet
Gernsheim: The Piano Quintets

 

Do you mean their Piano Quartets? The Dvorak Op.87 is one of his finest works, and the Op.23 is enjoyable. If you the Chamber Music composed by Gernsheim ,there is a very good recording of his String Quartet Op.31 played by the Mandelring Quartet I think it might be on Audite.

 

Richard Strauss composed a Piano Quartet when he was around twenty, it is his Op.13. It`s not a "great work", but there are some very fine moments. and for those who like his music there are signs of what will come.

 

Agree about Richard Strauss's Piano Quartet! Perhaps one sign of what would come is the trio section of the second movement Scherzo. Listening to the lyrical instrumental lines reminded me of the very famous vocal trio at the close of Rosenkavalier, not of tunes or harmony but rather the process of interweaving voices. (It is something that Strauss said his mind created naturally -- melodies with countermelodies.) All four movements are very good indeed.

 

As far as large scale Piano Quintets, this one really blew my mind despite being a poor recording:

Leo Ornstein - first movement

Ornstein is severely underrated. I also really like Sir Arnold Bax's quintet.

 

hmm "style analysis" -sounds interesting. I am only a layman who can't read music; I wonder if their would be a useful book for this "style analysis" worthwhile to look at?
Anyway, I like to think I have a natural undefined faculty of musical perception, but still the concept has given me some curiosity on that subject; maybe I could get something more out of music looking through that prism?


I actually haven't yet heard the Taneyev piano quartet! But the quintet has long been a favorite of mine, in fact one that spurred my further explorations into the unknown, (which has not been without it's rewards). Also I've been impressed with Taneyev's piano trio! It is has a much more epic-scale than you would expect from a typical piano trio, but since it's Tanyev you wouldn't be surprised by that!

 

hmm "style analysis" -sounds interesting. I am only a layman who can't read music; I wonder if their would be a useful book for this "style analysis" worthwhile to look at?

In case you're interested, I occasionally post in this thread for "instructional videos for amateurs": Instructional Videos for Amateurs

Bruce Adolphe was mentioned as a particularly good explainer of classical music with lots of videos online. His discussion of Mozart's Piano Quartet in E-flat major is particularly entertaining:

 

Mahler's Piano Quartet is a beautiful early work

And Mozart's, just like his Piano Concertos, are arguably unsurpassable.

 

A few faves not yet mentioned:

Fibich Piano Quartet in E Minor, Op. 11

Castillon Piano Quartet in G minor, Op. 7

Catoire Piano Quartet No. 1 in A minor, Op. 31

 

I'm listening to the Walton's Piano quartet right now. It's really appealing indeed! Intense, passionate and with a generous thematic development.

 

Walton Piano Quartet



OK I'll make it my listening priority. I would have heard it long ago if British music hadn't been studiously ignored in my university years! Well, not totally -- after 50 years I can still sing 'Sumer is icumen in, lude sing cuckoo' over and over again . . .

 

Let's give some love to Faure's Second Piano Quartet in G Minor. It's more melancholy than the First; the flat 2nd scale note (Phrygian mode) at some places contributes to that feel. Great Adagio which opens with piano "tolling bells;" altogether a superb work which competes with No. 1 for precedence IMO.

 

It's a great work indeed! The first movement is so passionate, the scherzo so forward-looking, and the slow movement so beautiful and mysterious!

 

Joachim Raff 1 and 2! Don't miss hearing this great composer!

 

I certainly agree about these late works by Raff (1822-1882). Just now I'm listening to Raff's Piano Quartet No. 1 (1876), which is full of musical invention, high energy, and feeling! Since starting this thread it's been notable how many under-recognized late Romantic symphonists show up as composers of fine chamber music as well.

 

Yes! He was very respected in his time, apparently, and he wrote in many different forms. He's in my top 5 composers ever. His lack of performances in the 20th century was a crime in my opinion lol. And hello fellow torontonian, I'm at bathurst and eglinton!

 

Yes! He was very respected in his time, apparently, and he wrote in many different forms. He's in my top 5 composers ever. His lack of performances in the 20th century was a crime in my opinion lol.

Warning: all the following 2's and 1's may confuse! Just to be clear, my previous comment concerned the Raff Piano Quartet No. 1, Op. 202, no. 1 in G Major (1876). I've also listened to the Raff Piano Quartet No. 2, Op. 202, no. 2 in C Minor (also 1876!) which is equally good. And not as gloomy as some commentators suggest; the finale in C Major is exciting and his seemingly effortless counterpoint gets pretty wild sometimes. Raff was a vielschreiber like Carl Reinecke and that may have bothered fastidious critics, but I thinks it's amazing to have had over 200 publications of original compositions. As an admirer of his last four symphonies, I think these works also support your high estimation of Raff (for me, especially "late Raff.")

 

Here's another

 

Regarding Raff -- not only are the trios and quartets beautiful works -- listen to his violin sonatas -- absolutely wonderful! Inspired works indeed, he was no cookie-cutter composer. Creative and brilliant are most of the works I've heard of his. And dare I say regarding his chamber works -- as inspired as Brahms.

 

I've enjoyed several versions of the Piano Quartet (1893) by Guillaume Lekeu (1870-94) that was completed by Vincent d'Indy. It's an exciting piece, obviously popular with young piano quartets and attractive to fans like me who previously knew only Lekeu's Violin Sonata. The quartet conveys high drama, technical assuredness, and lyrical beauty in equal measure. This Belgian student of Franck and d'Indy could have become world-famous had he lived! Compared to d'Indy's own Piano Quartet, op. 7 (the finale of which I could only find an excerpt on YouTube), Lekeu's work has more gravitas and imagination, while d'Indy's has some annoying repetitions -- and I need to find a better recording of it.

 

On the British label Toccata Classics a release date of April 1 is given for Hans Gal Chamber Music, Vol. 3. It includes his Piano Quartet (1914) plus several violin/piano sonatinas; they're now available on their web site for listening. The Piano Quartet's ear-catching motifs and natural progression make it great, compelling listening as do excellent performances and sound quality!

 

Great suggestions Roger. I'll have them in my listening list.