Beautiful Classical Smaller Pieces, duo,trio,etc

Schubert, I have been privileged to play several of Janacek's works over the years; most recently "Sinfonietta". "Mladi" was a staple of my woodwind quintet's repertory; with the addition of the bass clarinet, of course. Janacek was one of the most individualistic composers in all of music and while his music is, as you point out, dissonant it always remained tonal and rooted in Romanticism and the folk music of his native Chekoslovakia and of Russia. For me, one of the most fascinating aspects of his music is that he is sometimes referred to as the first Minimalist composer with the use of short repetitive or recurring motifs throughout a composition. Truly a musical giant.

The one that always stuns the crowd is Gary Karr - Adagio d'Albinoni, a duo recording of acoustic bass with organ accompaniment. The King LP is particularly great sounding. Cheers,
Spencer

Frogman I so appreciate your contributions from a players perspective. I like learning from your different level of concentration,sensitivity and appreciation. Peter

Frogman, I'm presently enjoying the exquisite tension in the opening movement of Mendelssohns' Octet Op. 20 played by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields with Neville Marriner,Hugh Maquire,Ilona Brown recorded in 1968 ! (I'm playing the Decca 96khz - 24 bit remastered CD 475 7716 which does thee job for me). That Mendelssohn wrote this at 16 astounds me. The passion,intensity, and use of the double quartet at that age is for me a prime example of intense genius. Talk about "feeling it to the bone!"

Frogman, I am eternally in your debt.
"Miladi" was one of the pieces I had read about but never heard.
The version I found locally was by Ensemble Walter Boeykens on Harmonia Mundi . Both the group and work are of the highest order, reminding me of that master of masters in Janacek,Rudolf Firkunsy, playing "On an Overgrown Path" with even more color than a solo piano could.
I swear Janachek could give even Schubert lessons in dynamic graduation!

It took me several minutes to compose myself after "Miladi".
I would think it one of those pieces where a knowledgeable classical audience would pause before putting hands together?