Dvorák: String Quartets 12 & 14

On this CD:

1. String Quartet No. 12 in F major ("American"), B. 179 (Op. 96)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak

2. String Quartet No. 14 in A flat major, B. 193 (Op. 105)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 12 In F Major, Op. 96 'American': I. Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 12 In F Major, Op. 96 'American': 2. Lento
String Quartet No. 12 In F Major, Op. 96 'American': 3. Molto vivace
String Quartet No. 12 In F Major, Op. 96 'American': 4. Finale: Vivace, ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: 1. moderato e semplice
String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: 2. Andante cantabile
String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: 3. Scherzo: Allegro non tanto -- Trio
String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: 4. Finale: Allegro giusto - Allegro vivace
String Quartet No. 2 In D Major: 1. Allegro moderato
String Quartet No. 2 In D Major: 2. Scherzo: Allegro
String Quartet No. 2 In D Major: 3. Notturno: Andante
String Quartet No. 2 In D Major: 4. Finale: Andante - Vivace

Amazon.com

The Emersons offer one of the very best accounts of the popular American Quartet on disc. It is dramatic, exuberant, persuasive, and right to the point--a well-paced reading full of ravishing details (like the dueting of the violins in the slow movement) that has been beautifully recorded. Originally made for Book-of-the-Month Club in 1984, the recording was later picked up by DG and first released in the U.S. in 1990. For this reissue, it has been coupled with equally well-played accounts of quartets by Borodin and Tchaikovsky, which makes for an especially well-filled CD. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Streamlined from Russia -- not for everyone.......2007-07-01

The string quartets of Dvorak and Borodin are among the lushest and easy-to-listen music in the genre, romanticism for every ear. Because of the hummable tunes in the Borodin 2nd (lifted wholesale to become part of the Broadway musical, Kismet) and the folsy vigor of Dvorak's "American" Quartet #12, most performers emphasize this lushness. Not the Emersons, whose readings here are clean and streamlined. They don't dig deep into the wood the way the Alban berg Qt. do. Their is the patented Emerson virtuosity at work, though, with impeccable intonation and matched timbres.

For me, the effect was refreshing, particularly in the Borodin, which hwere gets a performance that never threatens to become gooey. The Dvorak is a mite too efficient and far removed form its folk inspiration, yet still impressive technically. Its buoyancy creates a great deal of enjoyment. I've never been able to warm up to Tchaikovsky's quartet writing, but here again the Emersons go for clean lines over Russian luxuriousness.

In all, a very appealing CD that groups three favorites in vintage Emerson Qt. performances. Very good sound, too.

What an artificial performance it is!.......2007-02-17

Dvorak is just okay. Not a superior performance to their rivals, but it's just about the average. Nothing special. Nothing to comment.
Tchaikovsky? Again, no noteworthy point to make here.
Borodin? This is certainly one of the poorest performance of this music on the CD that I've ever heard. The problem is the Notturno movent.
here we have something very unpleasant music making here. The Emersons probably think that the movement is to be played with full of emotion and involvement. They may be right. But, playing this popular movement with emotional involvement does not mean that it is to be played very slowly and dully. What are they aiming at? What are they "thinking" when they treat this movement in a totally no-brainer way?

They are probaly perfect in terms of their technical flawless. But I always witness thet they do not seem to have found the way to play certain music. In short words, no attachment, no careful studying of the score, no soul. There only remains an artificial performance of the music. Good pretenders, but single CD from them has never moved me.
Beethoven quartets set was another joke.

Well.... but I cannot live without their Schostakovich. Yes, they are all not that bad anyway.

BTW, if it comes down to Borodin's second quartet, the Cleveland Quartet is my first pick.

Disappointing for the Emerson String Quartet.......2006-07-19

The Emerson String Quartet, no matter what some believe, is technically and artistically one of the best quartets in the world. This album, however, is not one of their best. The playing is somewhat lethargic, and the quartets themselves, while being somewhat popular (particularly the Borodin), are not masterpieces within the genre.

The Dvorak is fine, a 4 star effort. The Tchaikovsky is only average. The Borodin is, well, something else. The Emerson plays it to appeal to a crowd who can only appreciate "pops classical styling."

When listening to the Borodin all I hear is the advertisement for the World's Most Beautiful Music" collection, (just send in your $ for some CD's containing classical music played by various studio orchestras.) This, I find, is perhaps the most distracting aspect of the music. I don't hear the quartet. I hear the advertisement instead. So perhaps I am being unfair to the Emerson String Quartet on this one. It might be the same as thinking about "A Clockwise Orange" when listening to Beethoven's ninth.

But even barring the Borodin, the other two quartets just don't quite measure up to what I expect to hear from this wonderful quartet.

A genuine surprise........2006-03-16

Though I'd heard of Borodin before, I hadn't realized what a wonderful composer he truly was. The second movement of his second quartet is revelatory, and this recording of it (compared to others I've heard since) is definitive for its clarity, tenderness, and directness of expression.

Excellent music, excellent renditions.......2005-06-28

Most people viewing this item probably haven't heard of Borodin before, and I must assure such people that the Borodin quartet on this recording is more than worth listening to! The star of these three compositions is, of course, the American quartet, which is legendary. Though I haven't listened to any other performers playing the quartet, the Emerson Quartet's sound is exquisite, with each detail executed to perfection. You can't expect much else - the Emerson Quartet is always great.

I usually don't like Tchaikovsky, but the quartet on this recording is wonderfully melodic. And together, these three quartets on one CD make for one great purchase.

Great sound, great performance, great music - at a great price. What else could you ask for?

Average customer rating:

Brilliant music, excellent performances
Dvorak
A little cold
Music to get your blood flowing!
The finest readings I have heard of these quartets

Dvorák: The String Quartets

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00002DEH4
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 1 In A Major, Op. 2 B. 2: Andante - Allegro
String Quartet No. 1 In A Major, Op. 2 B. 2: Adagio affettuoso ed appassionato
String Quartet No. 1 In A Major, Op. 2 B. 2: Allegro schezando - trio
Finale - Allegro animato
In A minor: Quartet Movement: Andante appassionato

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 2 In B Flat Major, B. 17: Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 2 In B Flat Major, B. 17: Largo
String Quartet No. 2 In B Flat Major, B. 17: Allegro con brio
String Quartet No. 2 In B Flat Major, B. 17: Finale: Andante
2 Waltzes, Op. 54 B. 105: Moderato
2 Waltzes, Op. 54 B. 105: Allegro vivace
String Quartet In F Major, B. 120 (Fragment): Allegro vivace

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 3 In D Major, B. 18: Allegro con brio
String Quartet No. 3 In D Major, B. 18: Andantino
String Quartet No. 3 In D Major, B. 18: Allegro energico - Trio
String Quartet No. 3 In D Major, B. 18: Finale: Allegretto

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 4 In E Minor, B. 19: Velmi pohyblive a razne (Assai con moto ed energico)
String Quartet No. 4 In E Minor, B. 19: Andante religioso - attacca
String Quartet No. 4 In E Minor, B. 19: Allegro con brio
String Quartet No. 5 In F Minor, Op. 9 B. 37: Moderato
String Quartet No. 5 In F Minor, Op. 9 B. 37: Andante con moto quasi allegretto
String Quartet No. 5 In F Minor, Op. 9 B. 37: Tempo di valse
String Quartet No. 5 In F Minor, Op. 9 B. 37: Finale - Allegro molto

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 6 In A Minor, Op. 12 B. 40: Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 6 In A Minor, Op. 12 B. 40: Poco allegro
String Quartet No. 6 In A Minor, Op. 12 B. 40: Poco adagio
String Quartet No. 6 In A Minor, Op. 12 B. 40: Finale - allegro molto
String Quartet No. 7 In A Minor, OP. 16 B. 45: Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 7 In A Minor, OP. 16 B. 45: Andante cantabile
String Quartet No. 7 In A Minor, OP. 16 B. 45: Allegro scherzando - Trio
String Quartet No. 7 In A Minor, OP. 16 B. 45: Allegro ma non troppo

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 8 In E Major, Op. 80 B. 57: Allegro
String Quartet No. 8 In E Major, Op. 80 B. 57: Andante con moto
String Quartet No. 8 In E Major, Op. 80 B. 57: Allegro scherzando
String Quartet No. 8 In E Major, Op. 80 B. 57: Finale - Allegro con brio
String Quartet No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 34 B.75: Allegro
String Quartet No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 34 B.75: Alla polka: Allgretto scherzando - Trio: quasi l'istesso temo
String Quartet No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 34 B.75: Adagio
String Quartet No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 34 B.75: Finale - Poco allegro

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 10 In E Flat Major, Op. 51 B. 92: Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 10 In E Flat Major, Op. 51 B. 92: Dumka (Elegia): Andante con moto - Vivace
String Quartet No. 10 In E Flat Major, Op. 51 B. 92: Romanza: Andante con moto
String Quartet No. 10 In E Flat Major, Op. 51 B. 92: Finale - Allegro assai
String Quartet No. 11 In C Major, Op. 61 B. 121: Allegro
String Quartet No. 11 In C Major, Op. 61 B. 121: Poco adagio e molto cantabile
String Quartet No. 11 In C Major, Op. 61 B. 121: Scherzo: Allegro vivo - Trio: L'istess tempo
String Quartet No. 11 In C Major, Op. 61 B. 121: Finale - Vivace

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 12 In F Major, Op. 96 B. 179: Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 12 In F Major, Op. 96 B. 179: Lento
String Quartet No. 12 In F Major, Op. 96 B. 179: Molto vivace
String Quartet No. 12 In F Major, Op. 96 B. 179: Finale: Vivace ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op.106 B. 192: Allegro moderato
String Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op.106 B. 192: Adagio ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op.106 B. 192: Molto vivace
String Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op.106 B. 192: Finale: Andante sostenuto - Allegro con fuoco

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 14 In A Flat Major, Op. 105 No. 193: Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro appassionato
String Quartet No. 14 In A Flat Major, Op. 105 No. 193: Molto vivance
String Quartet No. 14 In A Flat Major, Op. 105 No. 193: Lento e molto cantabile
String Quartet No. 14 In A Flat Major, Op. 105 No. 193: Allegro non tanto
Cypresses, B. 152: Moderato
Cypresses, B. 152: Allegro ma non troppo
Cypresses, B. 152: Andante con moto
Cypresses, B. 152: Poco Adagio
Cypresses, B. 152: Andante
Cypresses, B. 152: Andante moderato
Cypresses, B. 152: Andante con moto
Cypresses, B. 152: Lento
Cypresses, B. 152: Moderato
Cypresses, B. 152: Andante maestoso
Cypresses, B. 152: Allegro scherzando
Cypresses, B. 152: Allegro animato

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant music, excellent performances.......2006-10-11

I must admit up front that when it comes to classic music, I prefer chamber music (any era or style). If you like chamber music, buy this set. If you are are curious about chamber music and Dvorak's work, buy a budget single CD of any Dvorak string quartets. When you've fallen in love with Dvorak's work --- and you will --- then buy this set.

These are simply some of the finest string quartets ever written. Lyrical and inventive, they will make you understand why Brahms and Dvorak were such good friends and admired each other's work so much. There are other recordings out there of various quartets, particularly the late ones. But the value in having a complete set is that you get to hear the composer's development, and you get to hear infrequently played yet brilliant works. A good example is the Quartet No. 5, which is intense --- as full of bite as, say, "Death and the Maiden," yet as richly melodic as anything Dvorak ever wrote. The recording is clean and warm, the playing precise yet soulful. The set is now selling for about $12 more than I paid for it, but it's still a bargain. You will never regret having bought it.

Dvorak.......2006-05-16

One of the best composers for chamber music together with Joseph Haydyn, I think. Thank you.

A little cold.......2006-01-16

Compaired to the Vlach on Naxos, this exelent recording left me a little cold. Where is all the emotion that these quartet's should have.

Music to get your blood flowing!.......2005-11-24

Wow! Great quartets played with real gusto and dynamism by the Prager String Quartet. The sound is incredibly crisp and clear. The performances are impeccable. You won't be disappointed!

The finest readings I have heard of these quartets.......2005-11-04

I have heard multiple recordings of these quartets, including the Chiligirian quartet, and selections by the Amadeus quartet, Hagen quartet, Melos quartet, Vlach quartet and Cleveland quartet. However, these renditions are (in my opinion) the most adherent to the Czech folk roots. I'm sure it helps that the ensemble is in fact Czech-for that reason they seem to have an edge over some of the other notable groups which have made recordings. Everyone has obviously heard the American quartet, but just as fine are quartets 10,11, 13 and 14 (as well as 7-9). I am less entranced by the early works, but they are not without their merit as well.
Overall, the sound seems a bit better in this re-release than in the previous version available on CD. Not much better, but better. And at this price, it is an absolute steal. Highly recommended for lovers of chamber music, or Dvorak in general.

Dvorák: String Quartets Opp. 96 "American" and 106

Average customer rating:

Best
gorgeous
Excellent Performances of Fine Music

Dvorák: String Quartets Opp. 96 "American" and 106

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000147Q
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

String Quartet No.12 'America' In F Major, Op.96: Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet No.12 'America' In F Major, Op.96: Lento
String Quartet No.12 'America' In F Major, Op.96: Molto vivace
String Quartet No.12 'America' In F Major, Op.96: Finale: Vivace, ma non troppo
String Quartet No.13 In G Major, Op.106: Allegro moderato
String Quartet No.13 In G Major, Op.106: Adagio, ma non troppo
String Quartet No.13 In G Major, Op.106: Molto vivace
String Quartet No.13 In G Major, Op.106: Adante sostenuto - Allegro con fuoco

Amazon.com

Naxos is currently the only major record label devoting any serious and systematic attention to the great legacy of classical chamber music from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. They have complete sets of quartets by Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Shostakovich, and Dvorák in the works, and of these the Dvorák series is the most important. Dvorak wrote 14 quartets in all, ranging from the longest classical string quartet in history (No. 3, at some 70 minutes!), to the finest works in the medium since Beethoven (Nos. 13 and 14). They represent an entire universe of superb music awaiting the discovery of music lovers, and at a budget price these able performances offer the curious their best chance yet to try them out. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Best.......2006-01-16

The Vlach Prague Quartet nails this. I can imagine that Dvorak would like it played this way...no other recoding conveys this amount of emotion. Some other well rated recordings Leave me cold.

gorgeous.......2001-04-29

All around beauty, sumptuously played. I like a very romantic, old world approach to this repetoire, and that's just what this group provides: relaxed tempos quick to pick up the pace when needed, a tendency toward rapt intensity, a coaxing and moulded handling of those lusciously long melodic lines, and a big rich warm tone. It's all here, and in spades. My only quibble would be that the first violinist does not "stand out" with her great melody in the last movement of the American -- that her line gets lost in an overly blended sonority. A nitpick only. I heartily recommend this disc, and at its price you can afford to add it to a collection that already possesses an "American".

Excellent Performances of Fine Music.......2000-08-09

These two fine performances are another fine addition to the Vlach Quartet's splendid traversal of the Dvorák's music for string quartet. The recordings, done by Naxos in the Martinek Studio in Prague, are excellent.

The most popular of Dvorák's quartets is no. 12, Op. 96, dubbed the "American" quartet because it was composed during his sojourn in the United States. The Vlach's give the first movement Allegro a tasteful, romantic interpretation. The famous slow movement, one of the glories of chamber music, is done with ravishing beauty. The sprightly Molto Vivace is done with and good humour, while the final movement is spirited and graceful in turns.

I have an older recording with the Gabrieli Quartet on LP, which is very beautiful, as well. Since it is similarly conceived, a comparison is in order. Though not better than the Vlach's, their performance of the Lento second movement is particularly lovely. However, they seem a little more self-consciously arty, less idiomatic, than the Vlach Quartet does in this repertoire. I suppose this is a matter of taste, but I prefer the Vlach performance. The recording, while quite good, is not as natural as the Naxos one.

I have no comparisons for Quartet no. 13, Op. 106, but the playing is quite wonderful. The highly original first movement Allegro is full of cross rhythms, and sounds like nothing else I have ever heard. The Adagio second movement is has achingly beautiful close harmonies, which are perfectly judged by the Vlachs. The third movement is a forthright Molto Vivace, given a vigourous performance. The fourth moverment starts out slowly, but soon becomes more agitated. It seems the titles of most of Dvorák's movements do not express the contents, as they contain material with a variety of moods and tempos. Suffice to say that the Vlach Quartet negotiates the interpretative difficulties of the fourth movement with ease, and give a rousing climax.

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 12 In F Major Op. 96 'The American': I Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 12 In F Major Op. 96 'The American': II Lento
String Quartet No. 12 In F Major Op. 96 'The American': III Molto vivace
String Quartet No. 12 In F Major Op. 96 'The American': IV Finale. Vivace ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 14 In A Flat Major Op. 105: I Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro appassionato - Poco animato
String Quartet No. 14 In A Flat Major Op. 105: II Molto vivace
String Quartet No. 14 In A Flat Major Op. 105: III Lento e molto cantabile
String Quartet No. 14 In A Flat Major Op. 105: IV Allegro non tanto

Average customer rating:

ehh...
From America, With Love

Antonin Dvorak: Quartets Nos. 12 & 14

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003CXV
Release Date: 1991-10-15

Tracks:

I. Adagio, Ma Non Troppo; Allegro Appassionato
II. Molto Vivace
III. Lento E Molto Cantabile
IV. Allegro, Non Tanto
I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
II. Lento
III. Molto Vivace
IV. Finale: Vivace Ma On Troppo

Customer Reviews:

ehh..........2005-09-21

This is definitely not the best recording of this work. First of all, the bass is pushed way too high; It feels like the work was recorded in a giant cathedral, rather than the intimate setting one expects for chamberworks. The actual performance is not bad, but it isn't great either - the lento of the "American" isn't slow enough and lacks the necessary level of emotion, and the finale is taken way too fast. In my opinion, this recording suffers as a result, as the pacing just seems to be off. If you are looking for another option for #12, I would suggest either the Hagen Quartet (Deutsche Grammophone label)or the Chilingirian Quartet (also paired with #14, on Chandos) - or even better, the Amadeus Quartet's take on it (DG Originals) - it's an older recording but it sounds great, with the added bonus being that it's a double-disc which also includes all of Brahms' quartets at the same price you'd pay for 1 disc.

From America, With Love.......2000-09-30

There is a plethora of recordings of Dvorak's American Quartet to choose from, and many of them are quite good. This is the one that I like the best-- the playing is technically flawless-- very polished (this really comes out during the vigorous finale of the American). The work as a composition is wonderful because it brings together a number of different sounds, from the bubbly first, through the languid second movement, to the vivacious finale. The third movement is quirky and quite catchy. According to Dvorak himself, it is based on the song of a bird which pestered him during his composition of the work. (For those ornithology/musicology enthusiasts out there: in Dvorak's words, it was "a damned bird (red, only with black wings)." As far as I can make out, from where he was in America (Spillville, Iowa), the bird must have been the Scarlet Tanenger.) All in all, the combination of the wonderful piece with the lovely playing makes this disk a must-have. The A flat major quartet also included on the disk is interesting and well played-- though not, perhaps, the greatest work of Dvorak. It does not detract from the CD. You will be hard pressed to find a better recording of these works.

Brahms: The String Quartets/Dvorak: Quartet, Op. 96

Average customer rating:

WELCOME BACK
Brilliant, Faithfully Rendered
Beautiful Brahms, Delightful Dvorak

Brahms: The String Quartets/Dvorak: Quartet, Op. 96

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000613X
Release Date: 1998-03-17

Tracks:

Streichquartett c-moll, Op. 51 No. 1: Allegro
Streichquartett c-moll, Op. 51 No. 1: Romanze. Poco Adagio
Streichquartett c-moll, Op. 51 No. 1: Allegretto molto moderato e comodo - Un poco piu animato
Streichquartett c-moll, Op. 51 No. 1: Allegro
Streichquartett a-moll, Op. 51 No. 2: Allegro non troppo
Streichquartett a-moll, Op. 51 No. 2: Andante moderato
Streichquartett a-moll, Op. 51 No. 2: Quasi Minuetto, moderato - Allegreto vivace
Streichquartett a-moll, Op. 51 No. 2: Finale. Allegro non assai

Tracks:

Streichquartett B-dur, Op. 67: Vivace
Streichquartett B-dur, Op. 67: Andante
Streichquartett B-dur, Op. 67: Agitato (Allegretto non troppo)
Streichquartett B-dur, Op. 67: Poco Allegretto con Variazioni
Streichquartett F-dur, Op. 67 - Amerikanisches Quartett: Allegro ma non troppo
Streichquartett F-dur, Op. 67 - Amerikanisches Quartett: Lento
Streichquartett F-dur, Op. 67 - Amerikanisches Quartett: Molto vivace
Streichquartett F-dur, Op. 67 - Amerikanisches Quartett: Finale. Vivace, ma non troppo

Amazon.com

Brahms reportedly destroyed more string quartets than he actually published, and it's not surprising. Aside from being even more intimidated by Beethoven's quartets than he was by Beethoven's symphonies, he was extremely self-critical, and much more comfortable writing chamber music which featured his own instrument--the piano. The Amadeus String Quartet was the outstanding British chamber group from the late 1950s through the early 1970s, and they excelled in performances of the standard Viennese classical repertoire. Their Brahms is a particularly fine example of their artistry, and Dvorák's The American Quartet makes an appealing bonus. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

WELCOME BACK.......2004-07-05

There is no Amadeus Quartet any more, so this reissue is welcome for that reason alone. At the outset I ought to say that they omit the first movement repeats in all four works. This is a matter of indifference to me, but some may wish to read no further.

Apart from the historical significance of this set, I needed a cd successor to my revered Allegri LP of the opus 51 quartets, and the Allegri version does not seem to be currently available. I would have been surprised if there had been a clear-cut issue of merit between two such eminent ensembles, and as I expected the merits are finely balanced. The Amadeus seem to me to have the edge in the C minor, the Allegri remain more to my liking in the A minor. Where the Amadeus score in the C minor is mainly in the extraordinary third movement. With the exposition repeat omitted in the first movement, this is actually the longest movement of the four. It is a particularly difficult movement to bring off sucessfully. The two simultaneous melodies at the outset are the biggest test. For me they should be almost equally prominent, with a very slight bias in favour of the upper theme. The tempo is hard to judge too, and the slower Amadeus speed gets it right for me. I also need to hear a twanging quality to the tone of the accompaniment in the trio section, much as the Amadeus do it, and they round the movement off with cleaner ensemble on the final pizzicato chord. There is less to choose in the other movements, but again I got more emotional kick out of the Amadeus in the celestial Romanze, particularly the climactic phrase of the main melody, with its clear reminiscence of the same point in the Cavatina of Beethoven's opus 130. Neither gets the last ounce of eloquence out of it - in my ideal performance it has me gripping the sides of my chair - but it has been many years since I heard it done to my complete satisfaction.

In the A minor the Amadeus could have done with taking the first and second movements, particularly the second, a little faster. The Allegri are somewhere near perfect for me in these. The `andante moderato' needs to be taken at a fairly brisk walking pace to make the maximum effect, and incidentally to show how it inspired the middle movement of Elgar's quartet, and I hope someday to see a cd reissue of the Claremont performance of that. In the B flat quartet the Amadeus are excellent without erasing my recollections of a superlative version by the Budapest Quartet that I no longer own. There is an obvious suggestion of Haydn in the first movement that everyone seems to have noticed, and an equally obvious suggestion of Mendelssohn in the second that nobody seems to talk about, and I hear both clearly in this account. The last movement gives me a slight problem that I sometimes have with the Amadeus - the phrasing, particularly Brainin's phrasing, is a bit affected. With artists of this eminence one often has to take stylistic features not completely to one's liking as part of the whole deal. Dvorak's opus 96 is a work about which I am less than passionate. It is very well done indeed, I compared it with my other cd version by the Moyzes group, and I found little or nothing to choose.

The liner note by John Warrack exasperated me by its conventional and, I believe, wrong-headed thinking. As usual, we are told about some supposed influence of Beethoven in the first movement of the C minor. Part of Brahms's complex mental and musical makeup was a fondness for playing subtle little games with reminiscences of his predecessors, all a feature of his conscious role as the custodian of the great German musical tradition. However the influence of Beethoven generally on him was far less than that of Bach or Schubert, the influence of Beethoven on this particular movement seems to me to be precisely nil, and overall I believe that anyone who tries to listen to Brahms with ears attuned to Beethoven will never understand him at all. He was a different musical animal entirely. The re-engineered recording is very good in its way, but for me it has a slightly artificial effect. 5 stars? Just about. At this level of interpretation one can afford to be finicky, and there is going to be nothing more now from the Amadeus.

Brilliant, Faithfully Rendered.......2004-04-21

This is yet another set of Brahms String Quartets for my collection. I cannot say it is the best or definitive but it is very, very good and has that "old world" flavor, transporting one to the Romanticism of the late 19th Century when kings and queens still ruled and everyone knew their status. I have often wondered how Brahms or Schumann or Dvorak would have reacted in the ideologically-charged atmosphere that permeates today's art world.

These works, which were rewritten over and over in Brahms's usual obsessive, secret manner are great renderings, dynamics perfect, a very faithful translation of the sheet music. Sonorities rise and fall and the quirky rhythms and constant surprises that are the hallmark of Brahms are handled superbly. There was no clear standout though the first two were simply ravishing.

The Dvorak, a fellow middle European, also worked wonders with chamber music and this quartet demonstrates both his musical and artistic genius. The rendering is simultaneously brilliant yet, in some small degree, "safe". The ensemble never strays into alien territory, prefering to present the music as it was written without a lot of hoopla. Great recording.

Beautiful Brahms, Delightful Dvorak.......2001-04-21

This DG Originals two-fer coupling Brahms' String Quartets and Dvorak's "American" Quartet, performed by the Amadeus Quartet, is simply wonderful. First off, while all of the discs in the DG Originals series feature esteemed, if not legendary performances, most of them, because of the CD's time constraints, only offer 3/4 of the performances from their original (two) vinyl counterparts. This is not the case here -- disc one featuring the two-part Op. 51 (No. 1 in C minor and No.2 in A minor) is the same as its original LP release from 1960, and the same for disc two, which couples Brahms' Op. 67 and Dvorak's Op. 96. To me, this is significant because while I love getting as much music as possible for my money, sometimes when too many pieces are collected together on a single disc, overall it doesn't flow well. But with these two Amadeus discs, I often find myself putting them on individually, particularly disc two -- it is incredible how well the third Brahms Quartet goes with the Dvorak "American." The performances by the Amadeus Quartet are outstanding, though I must admit in the case of the Brahms pieces I have nothing to compare them to at the time of this writing. This was however, my third version of the "American" -- the other two being the Juilliard version on Sony Essential Classics and the Prague S.Q. performance on the DG boxed set -- and the Amadeus Quartet's recording is every bit the equal of the other two, and yet it has a personality all its own. In all, these are classic performances, and an exceptional value too at mid-price.

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GOOD, ma non troppo

String Quartets 12 & 14
Dvorak , and Moyzes
Manufacturer: Amadis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000050LYQ
Release Date: 2000-10-07

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GOOD, ma non troppo.......2003-08-23

Oh Dvorak! He had real greatness in him, witness the 7th symphony.

What about these quartets? They are thoroughly agreeable and accomplished, The F major is a well-known melodious lightweight. The A-flat puts on a graver demeanour. He seems to be getting back to full professionalism after the inspired but undisciplined cello concerto.

So what are you looking for in quartets of this period? Leaving Brahms out of the frame, if you want sumptuous melody and beauty of sound, try Borodin's quartets. If you want originality and a fresh approach, try Verdi's quartet. If you want something of a challenge, try Franck's quartet. If you want good quality second-division stuff, try these. The performances suit the music to perfection -- accomplished, professional, pleasant to listen to, nothing to criticise, nothing to get you over-excited.

Antonín Dvorák: String Quartets Nos. 12 & 13
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Antonín Dvorák: String Quartets Nos. 12 & 13

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Lindsay String Quartet | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000030TD
Release Date: 1993-12-17

Tracks:

Str Qt No.12 in F, Op.96, B.179, The American: First Movt: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Str Qt No.12 in F, Op.96, B.179, The American: Second Movt: Lento
Str Qt No.12 in F, Op.96, B.179, The American: Third Movt: Molto Vivace
Str Qt No.12 in F, Op.96, B.179, The American: Fourth Movt: Finale: Vivace Ma Non Troppo
Str Qt No.13 in G, Op.106, B.192: First Movt: Allegro Moderato
Str Qt No.13 in G, Op.106, B.192: Second Movt: Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Str Qt No.13 in G, Op.106, B.192: Third Movt: Molto Vivace-Un Poco Meno Mosso-Tempo 1
Str Qt No.13 in G, Op.106, B.192: Fourth Movt: Finale: Andante Sostenuto-Allegro Con Fuoco

Amazon.com

The Lindsays are England's finest active string quartet. They have a somewhat raw and edgy sound, but they perform with a passion and spontaneity that makes up in excitement what they sometimes lack in seductive tone. They attack these two quartets as though their very lives depended on it, and while this makes for a very high-pressure The American Quartet,the performance of No. 13 is simply electrifying. In a way, this is more important, because The American Quartet is so charming as to be almost performer-proof. It always works. No. 13, on the other hand, is a flaming masterpiece that repays the 110 percent conviction it receives here. A great quartet record. --David Hurwitz

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Two Early Dvorák Quartets

Dvorák: String Quartets, Vol. 7

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Dvorák: String Quartets Vol. 6
Dvorak: Works for String Quartets, Vol. 5
Dvorak: String Quartets 11 & 8
Dvorák: String Quartets Opp. 96 "American" and 106
Dvorák: String Quartets No. 10, Op. 51; No. 14, Op. 105

ASIN: B000675OFI
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Tracks:

Andante - Allegro
Andante Affettuoso Ed Appassionato
Allegro Scherzando
Allegro Animato
Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Poco Allegro
Poco Adagio
Finale: Allegro Molto

Customer Reviews:

Two Early Dvorák Quartets.......2005-03-02

One notices that the 'New Vlach Quartet' is, these days, calling itself the 'Vlach Quartet.' Some confusion, one might say, because there was a 'Vlach Quartet' whose first violinist, Josef Vlach, was father of the first violinist in the 'New Vlach,' Jana Vlachová. This iteration is entirely new, but I guess they've been playing long enough now, and memories of the older quartet have perhaps faded enough, that they can now drop the 'New' from their name. Still, this quartet is not the equal of the older one. The 'old' Vlach Quartet had a warmer, richer sound--and I don't just think that's because they were recorded in analog sound. It seems clear to me that Mlle Vlachová has a wirier sound than her father, and that effects these violin-dominated works a good bit.

The quartets themselves are worth getting to know. Although only 21 when he wrote the First Quartet, Op. 2, Dvorák already showed signs of his easily recognizable style and this one has much to recommend it. Like all the great Romantic Era quartet writers, Dvorák had an innate sense of melodic construction; he somehow could write themes that sounded like tunes, not motifs, and the Schumannian/Brahmsian harmonic underpinning makes them all the more hummable and memorable. And that's true from the very beginning. The highlight of this first quartet is the second movement, Andante affectuoso ed appassionato, largely because it is an 8-minute elaboration of one of Dvorák's patented long-limbed, folk-tinged melancholy tunes. Scrumptious. The following Allegro scherzando sounds even more Brahmsian with its irregular phrase lengths and harmonic twists; it has a neat little trio in F sharp minor. The finale has a vigorous theme that seems to invite contrapuntal treatment that never quite arrives; still, it is lively and a fitting ending to this nice first quartet.

Written eleven years later (1873) and more assured, the Sixth Quartet, Op. 12, begins with a first theme with engaging off-beat accents that sounds at first like it is just going to be an accompanimental figure (and at times it is) but it is treated to terrific sonata allegro development, along with its sweet subsidiary theme. Bohemian folk dance underlies the second movement, Poco allegro, and Dvorák is beginning to sound more like the Dvorák we know and love. The heart of the quartet is its third movement, Poco adagio, with its yearning melodies treated with almost Schubertian tenderness. The finale, which makes use of earlier snippets of melody, is highly contrapuntal at the same time that it dances; that dotted rhythm from the first movement makes repeated appearances before the whole thing comes to a jolly finish.

These quartets are not often heard, outside Bohemia at least, and yet they are worthy of inclusion in the occasional quartet program. The Vlach's playing is a little rough and ready at times, but they clearly have this music in their veins, as they do all the Dvorák quartets which they have been recording over the last few years.

TT=66:53

Scott Morrison