September New Release - Vainberg Chamber Music

New recording of music by
Shostakovich protegé Moisei Vainberg

Moisei Vainberg (1919-1996): String Quartets
Nos.11 & 13; Piano Quintet Op. 18
Vilnius String Quartet • Golda Vainberg-Tatz, piano

DE 1042 —  September release from Delos

The music of Moisei Vainberg has been on the upswing in Europe lately; and now Delos presents a new recording of three outstanding chamber works by the Polish Jewish composer who survived two of the 20th century’s greatest horrors, Nazism and Stalinism. His music, until now rarely heard outside of Russia, is masterful, and seems to be gaining recognition in the United States and Europe.

The distinguished Vilnius Quartet, Lithuania’s most famous export, is joined by pianist Golda Vainberg-Tatz, also Lithuanian by birth and recognized throughout Europe and America. The Piano Quintet is an early opus, and the two Quartets are among Vainberg’s later works.

To escape the Nazis during World War II, Vainberg fled to Russia, where he earned the friendship and patronage of Dmitri Shostakovich, his mentor for life. Vainberg remained in Russia until his death in 1996, and composed numerous works in every musical genre: symphonies, operas, ballets and chamber music; and also music for the cinema, radio, TV, animated films and the circus.

Deeply influenced by Shostakovich, Vainberg’s music reflects the catastrophic events of his youth, 1939-45, with an intense focus on the 2nd World War and the Holocaust. The Quartets and the Piano Quintet on our recording are laden with emotions: sadness, pain, darkness, folkloric Russian imagery, at times stirringly lyrical and profoundly meditative.

All of this music is realized in depth by the Vilnius musicians and pianist Vainberg-Tatz. The adventurous CD classical buyer will be fascinated by this beautifully planned recording of a musical visionary’s plea for understanding and peace. The distinguished Vilnius Quartet is well known in the capitals of Europe, and has performed in such U.S. centers as New York, Boston, Cleveland and Houston.

Recorded at Vilnius Philharmonic Hall, Vilnius, Lithuania.