George Onslow's name is not all that well known today, especially on the concert stage. On records, his works appear from time-to-time and then vanish for reasons I can't understand. But here's a disc that will, I'm sure, become a classic that will receive repeated listenings simply because the music is eminently listenable and enjoyable, highly romantic and individual, especially if you enjoy truly memorable music from this period.

The George Onslow story is quite interesting, as documented in MDG's booklet. The father of George—Edward Onslow—an Englishman, was involved in the English parliament but due to a scandal, left England to make his home in France. There he married in 1783 and in 1784 the eldest son, George, was born. His father recognized the boy's talents in both art and music, but particularly music. More problems arose in France for Edward for participating in the counter-revolutioin and assisting in the royalist movement. Thus he was exiled to Hamburg, Germany and took his son George. There George studied with Jan Ladislav Dussek, and upon returning to France, continued his studies with Johann Baptist Cramer. The names of Dussek and Cramer are, of course, well known in the annals of music history. George Onslow's love for the piano was apparent to all those around him in music circles, and by such people as French composer Jacques Halévy.

Onslow wrote a good deal of solo piano music, but created some fine chamber music in the way of sextets, septets, quinets, all of which prominently featured the piano, which definitely plays the most prominent part in the two works on this new CD on the Dabringhaus und Grimm label from Germany. The Septet in E-flat Major, Op. 30 (1825) was dedicated to a near contemporary of Onslow's, Johann Nepomuk Hummel, and is scored for piano, two violins, viola, cello and double-bass and times in at 35:26. The Quintet in B-flat Major, Op. 79bis (1849) is a takeoff of Onslow's Septet, Op. 79; the scoring is different in the case of the piano, which is identical. This is scored for piano, violin, viola, cello, and double-bass. The only other work that would compare in stature and brilliance within the Onslow time frame would be Schubert's "Trout" Quintet, especially with the inclusion of the double-bass, which was rare to have been heard in chamber music ensembles during this time.

The music is infectious, has a lovely lilting quality about it, but it is more than mere salon music. This is serious music composed by a composer who became highly respected during his lifetime. The balance between the strings and piano is especially noteworthy, but I still emphasize the placement of the piano, which is the undercurrent that keeps both of these works going. By the time the Quintet was composed, Onslow truly illustrated his brilliance as a pianist and composer.

This has been beautifully recorded by MDG, as is usual for any of their compact disc productions I've heard. The venue has especially fine acoustics in this June and December 2006 recording. Balances are exceptional. The Frankfurt Concertant Ensemble consists of Peter Agoston and Klaus Schwamm, violinists, Wolfgang Tluck, violist, Sabine Krams, cellist, and Timm-Johannes Trappe, double-bassist. I have also made the discovery of an absolutely brilliant pianist, Gianluca Luisi, who possesses a golden piano tone with a splendid technique to match.

Rare repertoire, superb performing artists, impeccable and very natural engineering, outstanding and informative notes about Onslow all make this a disc you won't want to miss. Indeed, your appetite will be whetted in wanting to hear more of Onslow's music.
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Lance G. Hill
Editor-in-Chief