Parry's Piano Quartet in A flat major aims for the same thematic range and motivic complexity as Brahms's Piano Quartets, Opp. 25 and 26, which Parry was familiar with through Edward Dannreuther's concerts.
Notable Performances
The Piano Quartet was first performed at Edward Dannreuther's semi-private chamber concerts at 12 Orme Square, Bayswater, on February 13, 1879, where it was received with great enthusiasm.
Composition History
Parry's Piano Quartet in A flat major was composed during an intense period of creativity in late 1878 and early 1879, interrupting his work on a piano concerto.
Compositional Technique
The Piano Trio No. 2 is influenced by both Schumannesque fantasy and Brahmsian intellectualism, featuring a 'motto' theme in the first movement that links several movements together.
Performer Biography
Tim Horton, the pianist, once replaced Alfred Brendel at short notice for two performances of Schoenberg's Piano Concerto with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle.
Critical Reception
A critic at the Monday Popular Concerts in 1883 noted that Parry's Piano Quartet was full of clever devices, requiring a score to follow, and praised Parry for obeying his inner consciousness despite sacrificing immediate popularity.
Composer Biography
Hubert Parry, the composer, was appointed Professor of Musical History at the newly founded Royal College of Music in 1883, due to his compositions and prowess as a writer about music.
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