When thinking of the piano music (or perhaps any music) of
Enrique Granados, it's all but impossible not to think of Goyescas, his epic Spanish-tinged contribution. While this may be his most popular and even best-written work, he composed extensively for the piano. Pianist
Thomas Rajna has recorded the complete piano music of
Granados which, including Goyescas, occupies a surprising seven albums on the CRD Records label. This installment opens with the little-known Piano Quintet in G minor. Without knowing that this work is by
Granados, it is unlikely that many listeners would identify it as such. It lacks of the Spanish influence of the majority of his works and could just have easily been composed by Mendelssohn. The performance heard here is energetic, though, and apart from some intermittent intonation difficulties from the members of the
Alberni String Quartet, offers listeners a reasonably convincing reading of a mediocre score. The remainder of the album, which focuses on solo piano works, is much stronger both in composition and in performance.
Rajna has a clear understanding of the music at hand and even
Granados as a composer in general. Of significance is
Rajna's command over voicing, an essential trait for
Granados' music. The recorded sound of the music is slightly lacking in the bass register, but is otherwise clear and full.