Heinrich Kaminski - String Quintet (casalQuartett)

Information

Composer: Heinrich Kaminski

• String Quintet in F-Sharp Minor

casalQuartett;

    Felix Froschhammer, violin

    Rachel Späth, violin

    Markus Fleck, viola

    Sebastian Braun, cello

&

Dominik Fischer, viola

Date: 2026

Label: Solo Musica

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In this new release, the casalQuartett revives Heinrich Kaminski’s String Quintet in F-sharp minor, a remarkable yet long-neglected twentieth-century chamber music masterpiece. Composed between 1914 and 1916, the quintet is distinguished by its emotional intensity, dramatic power, and a intricate polyphonic texture that grants equal prominence to all five instruments. Early critics hailed the piece as the revelation of a young genius, yet it subsequently fell out of mainstream concert programs and available recordings. By reinterpreting this expressive work, the ensemble restores a key piece of German musical history, allowing modern audiences to rediscover Kaminski’s highly original artistic voice.

Founded in Switzerland in 1996 by students of the Carmina and Alban Berg Quartets, the casalQuartett is renowned for its expressive, audience-focused performances and innovative program design. Beyond mastering core repertoire, the ensemble frequently champions rare and forgotten compositions. Their intensive study of 18th-century music and historical Jacobus Stainer instruments has shaped a distinctive performance style that casts a fresh light on the string quartet genre. Collaborating regularly with esteemed guest artists, their notable projects include the expansive five-CD release Beethoven’s World, which highlights Beethoven Alongside overlooked contemporaries, and the acclaimed Ballads & Quintets recording with pianist Fazıl Say.

High Resolution 24-bit / 96 kHz