Louise Farrenc was a Parisian contemporary of Robert Schumann and her symphonies have many of the same orchestral textures and thematic propulsions. Like Schumann’s wife, Clara, she established herself as a pianist and composer in her twenties…
Ironwood give these quintets the full period style treatment, the period being the middle years of the 19th century, when romantic practice was maturing and becoming more indulgent of special effects. If you don’t like spread piano chords, extensive portamento in the violins and a piano sound far more brittle than a modern Steinway, then this record is not for you…