Debussy and Ravel:String Quartets

On this CD:

1. String Quartet, L. 85 (Op. 10)
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Eugene Drucker, Lawrence Dutton, Emerson String Quartet, David Finckel, Philip Setzer

2. String Quartet in F major
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Eugene Drucker, Lawrence Dutton, Emerson String Quartet, David Finckel, Philip Setzer

Tracks:

I: Anime Et Tres Decide
II: Assez Vif Et Bien Rythme
III: Andantino, Doucement Expressif
IV: Tres Modere - Tres Mouvenente
I: Allegro Moderato - Tres Doux
II: Assez Vif - Tres Rythme
III: Tres Lent
IV: Vif Et Agite
No.1
No.2
No.3
Concertino
Double Canon (Raoul Dufy In Memoriam)

Customer Reviews:

I bought this CD for the Ravel........2007-01-10

Before deciding to buy this version of the Ravel string quartet, I listened to the samples of tracks #5~8 for comparison against other CDs carrying the same string quartet. In particular, #6(II: Assez Vif - Tres Rythme) was much mellower, unlike the other interpretations which were rather rushed or harsh-sounding. In my opinion this version was done with better poise, and therefore more pleasant to the ear.

exciting interpretations.......2005-04-14

this is wonderfully exciting performances of these tried and tested pieces,actually the one and only Quartets of Debussy and Ravel,strings seem to scare away composers, the same is true of the modern concerto, there is seldom a second one,or none at all,even Stravinsky his string literature brilliant though it is, is marginal to his other more spectacular works, well the ballets are no comparison;
usually the Debussy and Ravel are paired together,and they couldn't be more conceptually far apart,written by really two creators of different temperments and intellectual interests. Debussy at the beginning of his creativity with still pathways to follow,and Ravel well orchestration was his lifeworld,or let us say mining the depths of timbre and reflection on timeless objects as the "melos",the Renaissance like gestures.
The usual emotive traps in this music is to sentimentalize moments,(too-much vibrato,or impassioned phrasings) over-romanticize then their classical,finely woven gestures,turning a mere quartet into some mirror of symphonic sound, or even a short,a trace of the nostalgic,the melancholic turns, transforms this music into odious sap oozzing down the front of a flower,no there must be a foot,a conceptual balance in both worlds,this is music inhabiting the transitions to the modern,yet traditional melodic content,reflection,time inhabiting a symbolic order is still the focus here for both aesthetics.There is no modernist manifestoes yet proclaimed( as with the Surrealists,that Ravel knew) There is exciting texture and colour and the Alban Berg Quartet here are fully aware of these dimensions new departures, this new language of discreet colours as the plucked pizz string as in Ravel's "Assez Vif" breathtaking resonace from a little plucked string, if you heard it alone it would have a short sound piercing yet never sustained unless your ear is right on the string. The Ravel has more treacherous places for "warmth" to reside as in the exposed dark brooding lines for the viola in the third movement of "Tres Lent, here we have simple chords to give the "screens" for melos to occur. The opening itself,"Allegro moderato, Tres Doux" cannot be too too tres "Doux" otherwise again the dignity of the music is lost, here this means at times, the quiet reflection, like gazing out at nature,intropsection; the metaphor is not exhausted, this is music that encourages one to contemplate the fine shapes,and lines ,the complexity of nature, here through the ruff excursis of timbre.
The Debussy Quartet is another matter again the tempi the gestures need to be right on and they are here,many times the powerful opening is too heavy which then trails off into nothing a shimmer of sul ponticello threadbare background materials,while the Violin continues the melos. So balance of sound and gesture is important, and as commonplace as this seems there are many quartets who simple abandon this and go away in hiding for the melodramatic. That has no place in this music.
The Stravinsky string music sounds indeed refreshing after the ponderous Ravel and Debussy,here again we think we've heard all there is of string texture, and timbre,Stravinsky's string music has an open directed sense about it almost always brutal in the strings treatments lots of downbows,and double stops(two tones simultaneously) he (well as a true modernist)prefered the rougher,strident folksy aspects of the strings,this helped to render new content to his own still "diatonic" timbres yet with balanced classic shapes with rhythm being the asymetrical component to subvert the motions forward,the spaces. The "Three Pieces" here are incredible,drifting into the higher registers, plucked mixed with bowed timbres almost continuously,the resonance is exciting,makes the ear listen and you always are aware of the three,four layers occuring.You may know the materials here from other places that I simply forgot,Stravinsky lifted his own music again lifted from somewheres else, twice removed actually, but he did it with a real sense of transforming improving the original,not unlike the use of assemblage,collage of Picasso, who used newspapers for backdrops to his paintings or shrds fragments from hotel registry,matchbooks,pipe tobacco;for Stravinsky he worked at his music similarly cutting out strips of manuscript of single lines to be assembled later,or stuck on the wall with a pin through it for contemplation;many of the original melody lifted was languishing someplace anyways, never to see the light of day.
The "Concertino" seems more gratuitous in its gestures, lots of "noises" going nowheres,yet still exciting to listen. Raoul Dufy was a Fauvist painter who died in 1953,Stravinsky captures the finely gentle light lyricism of his paintings and illustrations.Yet there is a somber sense here not abandoned for his lost. This Quartet does good work.Wonderfully balanced disk.

Average customer rating:

Hidden Treasure
Deeply Beautiful
A SUPERB RECITAL

Debussy, Ravel: String Quartets

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Janácek: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2
Schumann, Brahms: Piano Quintets

ASIN: B0000013NC
Release Date: 1994-02-15

Tracks:

String Quartet No.1 in G Minor Op.10: Anime et tres decide
String Quartet No.1 in G Minor Op.10: Assez vif et bien rythme
String Quartet No.1 in G Minor Op.10: Andantino doucement expressif
String Quartet No.1 in G Minor Op.10: Tres modere
String Quartet In F: Allegro moderato. Tres doux
String Quartet In F: Assez vif. Tres rythme
String Quartet In F: Tres lent
String Quartet In F: Vif et agite
String Quartet In F: Ravel: Introduction & Allegro for Harp,Flute,Clarinet & String Quartet

Customer Reviews:

Hidden Treasure.......2005-03-25

Coming as I do from the early music scene, listening to Debussy and Ravel was something of a shock when I first attempted it, and that explains why I originally chose the title "Difficult Music" for this review. However, after further listenings, I decided to change this to "Hidden Treasure": this CD contains some really fascinating music - very different in style from earlier chamber music, yes, but full of fascinating effects and with the remarkable quality of "growing on you", i. e. sounding more logical and, partly at least, more beautiful the longer you listen. Although I still slightly prefer the Emerson Quartet, the Kodaly Quartet on Naxos really do a fine job here, it probably being more the engineering than the playing that makes me prefer Deutsche Gramophon's offering. The "encore" of the Introduction and Allegro for Flute, Clarinet and Harp is quite an amazing piece of music with some delicate harmonies that really send chills of delight down my back, so to speak: the Naxos disc is definitely worth purchasing for this piece alone! (This addition to the original review was added on 22 April 2007, I will leave the original text as it stands as a testimony to the fact that it takes time to come to appreciate this music.)

The string quartets by Debussy and Ravel (each composer wrote only one) were penned in 1893 and 1902 respectively and are by far the most difficult music that Naxos produced in its early years (this CD was recorded in December 1988), for even after listening to this many times it is still not easy to perceive anything like melody. Debussys quartet is often characterized as an immature work based on traditional structures, but for me it is the sheer modernity of the work that hits me again and again, with the juxtaposition of modes and shifting variations of themes taking obvious priority over anything vaguely resembling tunefulness. Ravels quartet is known to have been written under the influence of Debussy's, but is a little easier to listen to, although there is certainly nothing here that would inspire anyone to hum along! After repeated listenings, I found myself enjoying above all the rhythmic structures, but these are far more potently captured in the 1986 recording by the Emerson String Quartet, which has a grace and brilliance which the Hungarian Kodály Quartet cannot match and the advantage of Deutsche Grammophons superior sound. Debussy, Ravel: Streichquartette The Naxos CD is no doubt good, deserving its three-star rating in the Penguin Good CD Guide, but if price is no object, the Emerson recording is, to my mind, unbeatable.

Where the Naxos scores as over against the yellow label is the inclusion of Ravels Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet, a piece which I had never heard before I bought this CD but which deserves to be heard more often. Apart from the fascinating harp passages, this music seems to be based on the rather unusual sound combination of flute and clarinet and will reward repeated listenings.

Deeply Beautiful.......2002-07-11

Although this is the first Debussy/Ravel quartet CD I've owned, it's not the first I've heard- the others being from the Julliard and Tokyo quartets. This is on the level of Tokyo's playing but three things make this, the Kodaly recording superior. First and most obvious, this one is less expensive. Second, the Kodaly quartet handles the music with more delicate gloves than does Tokyo. Third, the Intro and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and Quartet serves as a great end-piece here. (the solo harp section is so pretty that the first time I heard this, I played and rewound 7 times.)

These quartets are deeply beautiful, the recording is great, and the playing is replete with the alternating jumpiness/lament moods so fitting with this music. At some point, I will likely buy other recordings of the quartets, but this will be the standard I measure them by.

A SUPERB RECITAL.......2001-02-01

This is one of the most atmospheric, poetic performances I've heard in a long time, bar none. Tempi are judged just right, as in the opening "Anime" of Debussy's Op. 10, where the Kodalys rather slide right in and grab you, or the gorgeous "Tres lent," from Ravel's Quartet in F, that becomes almost spiritual. There is no spotlighting or highlighting of the impressionistic elements that run through these works; instead there is a nexus, a convergence. The Kodalys opt to infuse a wealth of humanity, a pinch of delicious angst, and a whole lot of sheer verve that, in the end, adds a unity and presence to music we only thought we knew. Hearing the Kodaly Quartet play these works is like listening afresh. As well, they are extremely fine instrumentalists, gifted with impeccable intonation, keen sensitivity, and an inspired committal to the music. Through them, these quartets sigh, lament, breathe, dance. [The Naxos engineers have given the Kodalys an intimate sound picture to match their artistic conception, as well.]

The addition of Ravel's Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet complements this already superb bargain.

[Running time: 62:31]

Debussy & Ravel: String Quartets (Italian Quartet) [IMPORT]

Average customer rating:

A top choice in these two quartets, with highly personal music-making

Debussy & Ravel: String Quartets (Italian Quartet) [IMPORT]
Quartetto Italiano , Claude Debussy , Maurice Ravel , 1st violin; Elisa Pegreffi, 2nd violin Italian Quartet: Paolo Borciani , and viola; Franco Rossi, cello Piero Farulli
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000060MDS
Release Date: 2002-01-28

Tracks:

Anime Et Tres Decide
Scherzo
Andantino Doucement Expressif
Tres Modere
Allegro Moderato. Tres Doux
Assez Vif. Tres Rythme
Tres Lent
Vif Et Agite

Customer Reviews:

A top choice in these two quartets, with highly personal music-making.......2006-08-17

Pairing Debussy and Ravel in their only string quartets is a cliche by now, and buyers have a wide range of choice. In terms of sheer virtuosity, no one has excelled the Alban Berg Qt., (EMI), who play with seamless technique and gleaming tone. but it all osunds a bit too efficient and impersonal. There's more atmosphere in the version by the Tokyo Qt., among others.

I listened to half a dozen recordings before settling on this one form the Quartetto Italiano. (they were together for so long that you can get a historic mono recording of the smae music on EMI). The Quartetto doesn't try to sound airy, diaphanous, or particularly French. Instead, they give a presonal, uniquely phrased version that sounds as if each player is esponding from deep feelings about the music. That's rare in performances of Debussy and Ravel, where the syle is more or less locked in. the miking is quite close, and although they lack the sheen of the Bertg Qt, the Quartetto Italiano deserves their reputaiton for making beautiful sounds.

Average customer rating:

Apex says it all !
Worthy Performance of Debussy

Debussy & Ravel: String Quartets

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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String Quartets by Debussy and Ravel/Claude Debussy: Quartet in G Minor, Op. 10/Maurice Ravel: Quartet in F Major
Mendelssohn: Octet; Quintets Nos. 1 & 2; Quartet No. 2

ASIN: B00005MOA8
Release Date: 2006-05-24

Tracks:

String Quartet In G Minor, Op.10: Anime Et Tres Decide
String Quartet In G Minor, Op.10: Assez Vif Et Bien Rythme
String Quartet In G Minor, Op.10: Andantino Doucement Expressif
String Quartet In G Minor, Op.10: Tres Modere
String Quartet In F Major: Allegro Moderato, Tres Doux
String Quartet In F Major: Assez Vif. Tres Rythme
String Quartet In F Major: Tres Lent
String Quartet In F Major: Vif Et Agite

Customer Reviews:

Apex says it all !.......2003-12-27

These two works, I feel, constitute the most musically enchanting impressionistic tone paintings of the chamber repertoire I have ever heard. At one moment, you are caught up in the most exotic of dance rhythms. At another, you are enveloped by the sweetest, most songful sense of longing. But there's also mystery, playfulness, eloquence, sadness and anxiety. These things are all part of the collages these two French masters of sensuousness bring straight to the spirit, often with a compelling intensity.

Previously, I conveyed my views on a cluster of performances of these pieces by some of the finest chamber ensembles. In particular, I cited the outstanding effort of the Emerson Quartet. Now, I must offer praise for a group that, in my estimation, outdoes the Emerson on musical if not technical grounds---the Keller Quartet, on the lesser known Apex label. Listening to excerpts from the Keller's presentations whetted my appetite for hearing all they had to say about these pieces. I purchased their cd and then found myself swept away on a completely spellbinding adventure. Succintly put, no other group I have heard so effectively portrays and conveys musically all I have mentioned above in association with these two compositions. Absolutely wonderful !

Worthy Performance of Debussy.......2003-12-21

I was hesitant, at first, in purchasing this recording: At $9 - who wouldn't be skeptical. But let me be the first to assure you these recordings of some of the most renowed literature in the chamber medium are at excellent quality for such a bargain price. The Debussy is exceptional - I have never heard it played with so much expression before. There are moments of supreme virtuosity balanced equally with lucid sound. And although - it isn't at Emerson statue (yet) the emotional output far exceeds that pedagogue - that Emerson. My only complaint is that at times - in piano sections - the first violin tends to play inaudibly while it has the melody. The Ravel is phenominal - I can almost picture a 1920's atmosphere - the kind that it paints fo rthe listener - the industrial world of the sound of daily hum drum. Especially that jazzy episode inteh first violin abuot 2 minutes into the first mov. Wonderful music - winderful pathos!

Average customer rating:

Examples of french composers writing in a german ensemble
A very personal reading of these oft-recorded quartets

Debussy & Ravel: String Quartets
Claude Debussy , Maurice Ravel , and Quartetto Italiano
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets

ASIN: B000051YDA
Release Date: 2002-01-15

Tracks:

String Quartet In G Minor: I. Anime Et Tres Decide
String Quartet In G Minor: II. Assez Vif Et Bien Rythme
String Quartet In G Minor: III. Andantino, Doucement Expressif
String Quartet In G Minor: IV. Tres Modere - Tres Mouvemente Et Avec Passion
String Quartet In F Major: I. Allegro Moderato. Tres Doux
String Quartet In F Major: II. Assez Vif. Tres Rythme
String Quartet In F Major: III. Tres Lent
String Quartet In F Major: IV. Vif Et Agite

Customer Reviews:

Examples of french composers writing in a german ensemble.......2007-05-30

The Quartets of Debussy and Ravel are the most interesting french quartets.The work of Debussy is one exception in the composer production.Maybe here we have the only german structure this composer folowed.Maybe, the first movement is the only Sonata form we can find in all his production.The second movement is one scherzo, rare in the production of this composer.This quartet,that I love, is a very good work , but is one exception for Debussy.Ravel was more classic, and the F major quartet is more tipical of the composer.
This recording was made in 1965, and it is fantastic.The sonorities are very special, and if I love the way the LaSalle , The Tokio and the Parrenin plays these music, the Quartetto Italiano is by far my favourite.

A very personal reading of these oft-recorded quartets.......2006-08-17

Pairing Debussy and Ravel in their only string quartets is a cliche by now, and buyers have a wide range of choice. In terms of sheer virtuosity, no one has excelled the Alban Berg Qt., (EMI), who play with seamless technique and gleaming tone. but it all osunds a bit too efficient and impersonal. There's more atmosphere in the version by the Tokyo Qt., among others.

I listened to half a dozen recordings before settling on this one from the Quartetto Italiano (they were together for so long that you can get their historic mono recording of the smae music on EMI). The Quartetto doesn't try to sound airy, diaphanous, or particularly French. Instead, they give a presonal, uniquely phrased version that sounds as if each player is responding from deep feelings about the music. That's rare in performances of Debussy and Ravel, where the syle is more or less locked in. The miking is quite close, and although they lack the sheen of the Bertg Qt, the Quartetto Italiano deserve their reputaiton for making beautiful sounds.

Average customer rating:

String Quartets
Debussy , Ravel , and Ludwig
Manufacturer: Arcobaleno
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Str Qt, Op.10: Anime Et Tres Decide
Str Qt, Op.10: Assez Vif Et Bien Rythme
Str Qt, Op.10: Andantino, Doucement Expressif
Str Qt, Op.10: Tres Modere - Tres Mouvemente Et Avec Passion
St Qt: Allegro Moderato - Tres Doux
St Qt: Assez Vif - Tres Rythme
St Qt: Tres Lent
St Qt: Vif Et Agite

Average customer rating:

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE FRENCH

Debussy & Ravel: String Quartets
Claude Debussy , Maurice Ravel , and Borodin Quartet
Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000063BIB
Release Date: 2002-04-23

Tracks:

String Quartet: I. Allegro Moderato, Tres Doux
String Quartet In F Major: II. Assez Vif, Tres Rythme
String Quartet In F Major: III. Tres Lent
String Quartet In F Major: IV. Vif Et Agite
String Quartet In G Minor, Op.10: I. Anime Et Tres Decide
String Quartet In G Minor, Op.10: II. Assez Vif Et Bien Rythme
String Quartet In G Minor, Op.10: III. Andantino, Doucement Expressif
String Quartet In G Minor, Op.10: IV. Tres Modere - Tres Anime

Customer Reviews:

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE FRENCH.......2005-02-13

The Borodins are a byword for quality in everything they do, and they have a habit of getting good recordings in addition. It is all here again, just like in the recordings of Shostakovich and of the eponymous Borodin that I already know from them. The playing has the familiar confidence, strength of characterisation, depth and quality of tone, unfailing stylistic grasp and unerring surefootedness that I am coming to know. The recording is first-rate again too, with depth and resonance at no cost to clarity. To hear just how good it can be, try the pizzicato chords at the start of the second movement of Debussy's quartet.

Tempi should give nobody any problem. They are very close indeed to those taken by the Parrenin quartet in a recording I have known and loved down the years but which seems not to be in the current catalogues, the most significant divergence being in the slow movement of the Ravel, taken much more slowly by the Borodins, and with great solemnity and effectiveness.

Both of these quartets are comparatively early works by their respective authors, but both, (Ravel's particularly), are accomplished and already characteristic. Accustomed as I am to the Parrenins I would not say that I find these accounts the last word in some elusive 'Frenchness', but that is not something that exercises me in the slightest. Composers and compositions of this stature transcend nationality, and this disc can be recommended without hesitation to lovers of the works and newcomers alike.

Average customer rating:

Andy's an Eclectic Lady
Good Background Music

Andiwork II
Andy Creeggan
Manufacturer: Bongo Beat Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002VEWBU
Release Date: 2005-01-31

Tracks:

Attendance
Green
Lullaby
Sparrows Excerpt
Prelude
Viola No. 3
Viola No. 2
Izzy
Foups
Viola No. 5
Ruby Roll
Peacock
With Dad
Dorian

Customer Reviews:

Andy's an Eclectic Lady.......2005-04-05

Andy Creeggan had it all but he wanted more. As a founding member of The Barenaked Ladies, Andy saw the group rise from obscurity to top of the charts, but, it wasn't for him. "I wanted space for my music, my personality. I was always very interested in instrumental music and I wanted to take advantage of having been accepted at the Faculty of Music at McGill University in Montreal and really pursue theory and composition."
Along with his brother Jim Creeggan (Barenaked Ladies bass player), Andy was brought up in a musical household in which their mother taught piano and their father played by ear. The Creeggans are a family that lives for music. As such, the two brothers also perform and record as The Brothers Creeggan, releasing three cds thus far and touring between Barenaked Ladies albums.
Andiwork II is Andy Creeggan's second solo album and the first to be nationally distributed. It is an understated and quietly complex work that showcases a young composer weaving textural ambient pieces that draw from classical, jazz, new age and even 50s exotica with an underlying dry humour that will occassionally rise to the forefront (an excerpt with Andy coaxing his dad in the studio, for example). It is cinematic in scope and breadth and yet comfortable enough to work as a late night chill album for background sonics. Featuring members of the Toronto Symphony and drummers Ian McLauchlan (Brothers Creeggan) and Mark McLean (of the acclaimed Jane Bunnett jazz ensemble).

Good Background Music.......2004-12-29

When I got this cd, i expected it to be more like his work with Brothers Creegan, but it is 98% instrumental, sounding like he is just messing around with music. Good music, but more something that i would play in the background, while doing something else.

Average customer rating:

String Quartets
Debussy , Ravel , and Orlando Quartet
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000E3WS
Release Date: 1989-09-26

Average customer rating:

Debussy, Ravel, Webern: String Quartets

Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Janacek: String Quartets 1 & 2; Wolf: Italian Serenade
Beethoven: String Quartet Op.130, Op.133
Beethoven: Great Fugue Op.133/Schubert: String Quintet D.956 [IMPORT]
Haydn: Lerchenquartett; Reiterquartett
String Quartets

ASIN: B000001GJA
Release Date: 1994-02-01

Tracks:

Str Qt in g: Anime et tres decide
Str Qt in g: Assez vif et bien rythme
Str Qt in g: Andantino, doucement expressif
Str Qt in g: Tres modere-Tres mouvemente et avec passion
Streichquartett in F: Allegro moderato
Streichquartett in F: Assez vif-Tres rythme
Streichquartett in F: Tres lent
Streichquartett in F: Vif et agite
Streichquartett (1905): Duster und schwer-Mit grom Schwung-Sehr breit-Langsam-Sehr langsam...

Amazon.com

Despite a slightly odd coupling, this is a worthwhile disc. Not too many people who want to hear the Debussy and Ravel Quartets will be looking for Webern, even though this early work of his isn't as challenging (or as compelling) as his later music for string quartet. The Hagen Quartet plays all of this music very well. The Debussy and Ravel are both more atmospheric and less driven than the famous Emerson Quartet coupling (for this same label). Those recordings are memorable, but for those who find them too tense the Hagen offers a fine alternate and more music. --Leslie Gerber

Music Review:

Music Review

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