Brahms composed his two published String Quintets amid the rural tranquillity of Bad Ischl in Upper Austria and the works can almost be seen as an expression of escape from the 'urban stress' of nineteenth-century Vienna. The Quintets show Brahms standing at the pinnacle of the composition of chamber music, their gentle pastoral character being subtly shaded by a profoundly melancholy introspection. This disc follows up on the extrordinary success of The Raphael Ensemble's recording of Brahms's two String Sextets (CDA66276). ----------------------------------------------- CLASSIC CD 100 GREATEST DISCS OF THE DECADE 'These richly scored string quintets must rank among the finest works of Brahms's maturity … in the traditions of the best chamber music playing The Raphael Ensemble project a tremendous sense of enjoyment of the music—it certainly feels as if they are rediscovering masterworks afresh' (Classic CD) 'Their playing is unerringly distinguished, and Hyperion's sonics defy criticism—a glorious offering' (BBC Music Magazine) 'L'interprétation des Raphael est essentiellement vitale. Sa plus belle qualité: l'intensité. Ils imposent une vision symphonique des deux partitions' (Diapason, France)