There is something immediately accessible about the music of Thomas Adès (b. 1971) that sends many critics and music lovers into a frenzy of excitement around his new releases. The frenzy here is justified, as the Piano Quintet is immensely listenable, but with enough material to keep your attention for many subsequent hearings – and hopefully many subsequent recordings. The parts contain fragments of classical tonality, but juxtaposed and layered into a colourful collage that resists resolution and produces the momentum. Even the stillest of moments have a nervous energy that foretells of the excitement ahead. Varying tempi both across and within parts give an elastic quality, often with the instruments setting each other off at new speeds, and making sparks fly between the members of the Arditti Quartet. Adès, joined by members of the Belcea Quartet, offer a vibrant and fresh-thinking Trout, aided by inventive articulation, which, while perhaps not being textbook urtext, keeps the work alive. The opening movement employs a huge dynamic range, with an immediacy to the sforzandos that propels the music upwards. A daring expanse of string colours is utilised, producing some quite wild effects in places – try the closing bars of the first movement. The character of individual performers is maintained, which adds personality to the performance – though Ms Belcea’s sweet tones occasionally prove too sugary for my taste. Adès’ piano playing is fluid and effortless, with plentiful but not excessive pedal which seems to mould the piano and string sonorities into one. Top class, and a superb coupling with the Adès.

Reviewed by Frances Boyson