Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: String Quintets

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Arthur Grumiaux's performances of Mozart, whether of the violin concertos, the sonatas, or various chamber pieces with violin, were marked by patrician elegance and an unfailing sense of style. For this 1973 recording of the string quintets, arguably the summit of Mozart's chamber output, Grumiaux surrounded himself with musicians of a similar stripe, and the result remains among the treasures of the catalog. By today's standards, the performances may sound just a bit laid-back and relaxed, but the ensemble is marvelous, and the beauty of tone Grumiaux and company achieved in these readings has rarely been approached on disc since. The analog recording is splendid. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Very classical Mozart.......2007-04-09

Whether you give this recording the 5 stars its awards suggest or not, will probably depend on the way you like your Mozart played. This recording by the Talich Quartet + violist Karel Rehak is very much in the classical style, low dynamic range, and relatively little vibrato. I'm not sure if they are using period instruments but it does sound like it. Add to this a rather "dry" acoustic in this French recording with not a lot of resonance and I think you will get the general picture. This works very well in the youthfully high-spirited and somewhat experimental K.178. It is worth noting here that just as Haydn can be said to have "invented" the string quartet. Mozart was the first composer of any note to use the quintet form, which he came to use in his later period in preference to the four player version, to produce some of his most characteristic, personal and individual music.
The K516 Quintet is a strange and extremely unsettling piece. Time and again the rather bouncy rhythms clash with some very tortured harmonies. Written shortly after the death of his father, with whom he had a close but not untroubled relationship, it is full of unresolved grief and forced bonhomie. The Talich's understated performance avoids most of the major issues - probably just as well, as musically this is the least successful of the six. You could hardly imagine Beethoven, still less Brahms (Mozart's greatest admirer of course) writing such a "throwaway" finale. Mozart appears here, for the time being at least, to have completely abandoned the comforts of religion and provided us with a truthful, if somewhat ugly self-portrait.
By contrast the K515 in Ut Majeur (I'm still not sure what key that is, I wish the French didn't insist on their ridiculous notation) is the Mozart we all know and love. Urbane and relaxed, it is the perfect blend of wit and seriousness - the former predominating and an absolute delight throughout. Solid playing from the Talich quartet + Karel Rehak, maybe they could have had a little more fun in the finale....
The Quintet in C minor K406 is one of the few cases where Köchel appears to have got it wrong, as it was in fact written after the two previous pieces, but as it is a rewrite of his K388 Serenade for Wind Instruments he may perhaps be forgiven. The cover notes incidentally, otherwise admirable, merely add to the confusion here. The reasons for this re-arrangement are obscure, but the result is unarguable. For me at least, this is one the most Schubertian of Mozart's pieces, with many a foretaste of "Death and the Maiden". The mood is predominantly somber and agitated and there is none of the sense of reconciliation that Brahms found later. The finale is another example of "forced jollity" but a bit better controlled than in K515, rather like dancing a polka after having witnessed someone's murder - or committed it. This is an absolutely gripping piece in which the Talich's style works to perfection.
The Clarinet Quintet is one of the finest and most beautiful pieces of music ever written and far too well known to comment on here. There have been many fine performances - sadly not this is not one of them. Chief culprit is soloist Bohuslav Zahardnik, whose stubborn refusal of both vibrato and rubato lends this otherwise most "romantic" piece (which was an absolute favorite of Brahms) a disappointingly pedestrian air, which even a very well-judged change of pace in the final movement cannot redeem. Zukerman, Menuhin and de Peyer, where were you?
Looks like it's going down to the wire - K593 and K614. If Mozart was beset by self doubt and existential angst in his final years as some have claimed, there's not a trace of it in the sparkling K593 quintet, which positively bristles with invention. The cyclic form of the first movement anticipates many 19th century works and there is some very novel use of pizzicato. The final movement, part rondo, part canon, part fugue is almost bewildering in its array of musical ideas. The acoustic also seems better on the final disc with a lot more resonance. If K406 was Schubertian, then this is most definitely Beethoven at his lively early best and I am pleased to relate that the Talich Quartet + Karel Rehak give this brilliant piece an appropriately brilliant performance, full of contrast and energy as well as immaculate precision.
I can't quite make up my mind about K614. This was the first time I'd heard it and despite a bright opening with "hunting" motifs and some complex writing in the finale I found it disappointingly slight, as of course Mozart can be, nothing wrong with the performance and maybe I'm missing something, but it surely needed a "bigger", more contrasting, slow movement.
What's the final verdict: to be honest I've got to say mixed. There isn't a performance in this set that says, "unforgettable". On the other hand there isn't an absolute stinker either and if you like the 18th century sound and very classical interpretations then there is a lot on these records you can enjoy.

Major Mozart!.......2007-02-09

The six string quintets are less commonly performed and less well known that the quartets, but they are not lesser pieces. They are robust, complex, dramatic music, full of Mozartean surprises. They should rank among his masterpieces, even the early KV 174. You will hear the future in them, more of the birth of the Romantic than the waning of the Rococo. The Talich Quartet performs them well and, as other reviewers have noted, the recording quality of these disks is excellent.

Outstanding.......2007-01-05

You don't need me to tell you, as others have, that this is a truly magnificent recording. A flawless performance by the Talich quartet in its sheer joy, vigour, precision and teamwork, and also an outstanding recording in its clarity and brightness. It helps also, of course, that the quintets are in very top rank of Mozart's chamber music. My congratulatons to all concerned.

Musical Heaven - The Very Highest Quality.......2006-08-12

The Talich Quartet have given us 3 CDs of musical heaven with these quintets. Both the performance and the sound engineering are outstanding. The sound quality is, indeed, so unbelievably good that it really is as another reviewer described it: like having these musicians right in front of you, giving a wonderful performance in your own living room. I have had these CDs for over a year now and have listened to them many times with great pleasure. These quintets radiate with warmth, gracefulness, moments of touching sadness, and other moments of infectious joy. As I was listening to the clarinet quintet this morning, after having listened to it so many times before, I once again felt moved by the beauty of this performance. This is a special recording with a magical beauty.

This is a performance of the very highest quality, where the musicians communicate perfectly with each other and completely succeed in communicating to the listener their love for this music. Some of the previous reviewers have commented that even those persons who prefer other types of classical music, such as symphonies or concertos, and who do not ordinarily consider themselves as being interested in chamber music, still owe it to themselves to listen to this set. I wholeheartedly agree. This is indeed the kind of truly outstanding performance that could convert someone to chamber music. The CD booklet is also excellent, with a detailed informative essay discussing each of the quintets. Highly and enthusiastically recommended.

Required Listening for true Mozartians.......2006-05-04

While Mozart's string quartets are somewhat uneven, the quintets are all masterpieces, especially K. 516, one of his most original and daring works. If you are a true Mozartian, this music is required listening. The performances here are simply superb, absolutely riveting in their drama. As a bonus, there is Mozart's most beautiful chamber work, the clarinet quintet. Three CD's for the price of one, outstanding music and wonderful performances, you cannot go wrong.

Average customer rating:

Excellent
Clarinet Magic
Excellent interpretation of Mozart
Simply Spectacular
Tasteful performance? No way...

Mozart / Brahms: Clarinet Quintets
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , David Shifrin , Eugene Drucker , and Emerson String Quartet
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000IX73
Release Date: 1999-05-11

Tracks:

Quintet For Clarinet And String Quartet In A Major, K.581: 1. Allegro
Quintet For Clarinet And String Quartet In A Major, K.581: 2. Larghetto
Quintet For Clarinet And String Quartet In A Major, K.581: 3. Menuetto--Trio I-II
Quintet For Clarinet And String Quartet In A Major, K.581: 4. Allegretto con Variazioni I-IV - Adagio - Allegro
Quintet For Clarinet And String Quartet In B Minor, Op.115: 1. Allegro
Quintet For Clarinet And String Quartet In B Minor, Op.115: 2. Adagio
Quintet For Clarinet And String Quartet In B Minor, Op.115: 3. Andantino - Presto non assai, ma con sentimento
Quintet For Clarinet And String Quartet In B Minor, Op.115: 4. Con moto - Un poco meno mosso

Amazon.com essential recording

The Emersons and clarinetist Shifrin emphasize smoothness of line and a creamy blend of sound in this polished 1997 performance of the Mozart quintet. Tempos are ideal, giving Mozart's luxurious, long-breathed yet fragile melodies plenty of time to unfold without sacrificing animation or expressive point. Understatement rules in this interpretation, which is all the more intense and poignant because of it. The coupling is a rich, ripe, romantic account of the Brahms quintet, conveyed with passionate address and in a manner more conversational and polyphonic, less homogeneous in sound, than most. It is a dramatic and eventful reading, but one in which lyricism and beauty of tone are never sacrificed. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2006-02-11

This is an outstanding recording of these superb works. The Mozart Clarinet Quintet is simply a masterpiece. The Emerson and the clarinetist, David Shifrin, are wonderful. The Brahms quintet is performed just as well.

Clarinet Magic.......2005-08-11

Actually I am not a fan of chamber music but these two clarinet quintets, especially the Brahms one, are really superb. I cant get enough of them and keep listening to them over and over to the extent that I wore out the CD and had to buy this new one.

Excellent interpretation of Mozart.......2002-03-27

This cd is absolutely amazing. The Emerson String Quartet's Mozart playing is absolutely thrilling. Simply the best quartets around and is reflected through their work on this CD.
Also with the Brahms clarinet quintet on this recording, it shows that the quartet is extremely agile in their ability to switch styles and play it with such passion, something Brahms requires much of.

Simply Spectacular.......2002-02-28

Emerson and Shifrin make these two already perfect pieces even more spectacular than they already are. Emerson's sound is so rich and lush which lends a spectacular quality to quintets. They really get the ideal Mozartian and Bramsian qualities across in their playing. The music is subtle in it's qualities and the quintet emphasizes this. David Shifrin is flawless in his playing. He gets a rich dark sound and interprets the music perfectly. He and Emerson are a great match....they understood these two pieces and brought them out in their performance. It is just excellent all around!

Tasteful performance? No way..........2001-06-24

The opening of the Clarinet quintet by Mozart is so beautiful and pure. The smooth sound of the clarinet and the organ-like writing for the strings. Why do we let our modern playing technique ruin this opening? Why do we have to play with vibrato on EVERY note? WHY!? What is the problem? What IS good taste? Is it to treat all music the same? Mozart's own father writes in his violin school that musicians that plays with a lot of vibrato sounds like they have the fever! We know that even the 19th century violinist Joseph Joachim, who were a friend of Brahms, didn't use vibrato much at all. So what's going on? This is fact: We have no real traditions! The way we play music today has nothing to do with the way musicians once played the music of the composers of their own time. We have no respect and no interest in the sound world that Beethoven or Mozart lived in. The reasons why they wrote the music the way they did! I am tired of this arrogant relation to music that many of "the great" artists have today. No, pick up the Joseph Joachim violin school and learn how to play Brahms and you will definetely find some amazing aspects of his music that no one else cares about. The Eroica Quartet (Harmonia Mundi) is a brilliant new ensemble who plays the romantic repertoire with a fresh and intelligent attitude. Check it out! Also check out the amazing recording of the clarinet quintet by L'archibudelli (Sony Classical) on period instruments and compare the sound, the phrasing and the overall music-making with the Emerson recording and you will see my point! Or else, there is no meaning playing music by old masters who actually had real intentions!

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Mozart: Quintets, Quartets, Trios, etc.

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004YSBG
Release Date: 2006-02-14

Mozart: The 6 Haydn-Quartets; The 6 String Quintets

Average customer rating:

Unmissable!
A knockout bargain

Mozart: The 6 Haydn-Quartets; The 6 String Quintets
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Milton Katims , and Budapest String Quartet
Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Great Performances From The Library Of Congress, Vol. 6: Budapest String Quartet In Concert At The Library of Congress
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Mozart: Complete String Trios & Duos

ASIN: B00008S7HM
Release Date: 2003-05-12

Tracks:

Cd-1 (1-4) (The 6 Haydn-Quartets 1-12 ) String Quartet In G Major, K.387
Cd-1 (5-8) String Quartet In D Minor, K.412 (217b)
Cd-1 (9-12) String Quartet In B-Flat Major, K.458 "The Hunt"
Cd-2 (1-4) String Quartet In E Major, K.428 (421b)
Cd-2 (5-8) String Quartet In A Major, K.464
Cd-2 (9-12) String Quartet In C Major, K.465 "Dissonant"
Cd-3 (1-4) (The 6 String Quintets 1-12) String Quintet No.1 In B-Flat Major, K.174
Cd-3 (5-8) String Quintet No.2 In C Minor, K.406 (516b)
Cd-3 (9-12) String Quintet No.2 In C Major, K.515
Cd-4 (1-4) String Quintet No.4 In G Minor, K.516
Cd-4 (5-8) String Quintet No.5 In D Major, K.593
Cd-4 (9-12) String Quintet No.6 In E-Flat Major, K.614

Album Details

4CD Box set. Columbia Legends Series.

Customer Reviews:

Unmissable!.......2005-06-13

Perhaps you should remove one star or two for production values, which are not state of the art; the sound feels very thin, missing quite a lot in body. The playing, however, is the very, very best. The world will never get a string quartet with such an understanding of Mozart! The tempos are generally brisk, but it never sounds hurried. I am used to the Quartetto Italiano on this stuff, and that played rather slowly, wonderfully as such, but slowly. The Budapest Quartet is playing quickly, but it always feels easy, elegant and relaxed.
The nerve on the quintet K. 516 is very exiting. In spite of being recorded by the mid 40ies, I've never wanted any other recordings of the quintets.
The 'Haydn' quartets are recorded by the mid 50ies, but here I would like some better sound. I've preferred the Quartetto Italiano for almost ten years; know I only listen to the Budapest. I guess that my mind now is able to add the sound which is missing on the recording.
My five stars because you should not miss this - and in some years this collection perhaps will be out of print...

A knockout bargain.......2005-05-22

How can I review the greatest string quartet ever? The recording is quite decent, a remastering of LPs that were already excellent. Don't think scratchy reissue.

And the performance? My god, these guys are total quartetness--I just listened to the Dissonant Quartet, and there is a rhythmic thrust beyond others, no matter when recorded. The proof is in the astounding gasps--there's no more accurate term--in the last movement. There may have been equally good performances that I'll never know because they were early 20th century, but thanks there are these great performances that got the benefit of good recording.

Average customer rating:

Gramophone "Top 100 Recording"

Mozart: The Complete Quintets, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000041MR
Release Date: 1997-06-10

Tracks:

String Quintet In G Minor, KV 516 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 1. Allegro
String Quintet In G Minor, KV 516 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 2. Menuetto (Allegretto)
String Quintet In G Minor, KV 516 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 3. Adagio ma non troppo
String Quintet In G Minor, KV 516 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 4. Adagio -- Allegro
Adagio And Fugue In C Minor, KV 546: Adagio
Adagio And Fugue In C Minor, KV 546: Fugue
Quintet In A, KV 581 For Clarinet, 2 Violins, Viola And Cello: 1. Allegro
Quintet In A, KV 581 For Clarinet, 2 Violins, Viola And Cello: 2. Larghetto
Quintet In A, KV 581 For Clarinet, 2 Violins, Viola And Cello: 3. Menuetto
Quintet In A, KV 581 For Clarinet, 2 Violins, Viola And Cello: 4. Allegretto con variazioni

Tracks:

String Quintet In D, KV 593 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: I. Larghetto - Allegro
String Quintet In D, KV 593 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 2. Adagio
String Quintet In D, KV 593 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 3. Menuetto (Allegretto)
String Quintet In D, KV 593 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 4. Finale (Allegro)
String Quintet In E Flat, KV 614 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: I. Allegro di molto
String Quintet In E Flat, KV 614 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 2. Andante
String Quintet In E Flat, KV 614 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 3. Menuetto (Allegretto)
String Quintet In E Flat, KV 614 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 4. Allegro
Adagio And Rondo In C, KV 617 For Glass Harmonica, Flute, Oboe, Viola And Cello: Adagio
Adagio And Rondo In C, KV 617 For Glass Harmonica, Flute, Oboe, Viola And Cello: Rondo

Amazon.com

Mozart really liked the number 5. Aside from the group of six string quartets dedicated to Haydn, just about all of his greatest chamber works are quintets, and some of them are very unusual too. This particular set contains three magnificent late string quintets, the ever popular Clarinet Quintet, and weirdly wonderful Adagio and Rondo for Glass Harmonica, Flute, Oboe, Viola and Cello. A glass harmonica, by the way, is a set of water-filled glasses that you set spinning and play with moistened fingertips. It was invented (or at least perfected) by Benjamin Franklin, and was wildly popular in Mozart's day, particularly among amateur female performers. An excellent collection in every respect. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Gramophone "Top 100 Recording".......2005-03-27

In addition to the masterpiece G-minor Quintet (K.516), this second volume contains several other significant works. Most notably is the masterpiece Clarinet Quintet (K.581), a highly-angular Adagio/Fugue in rare key of C-minor, Mozart's last chamber composition (string quintet K.614) and a unique, late work for the unusual "glass harmonica". The two pieces for glass harmonica (basically, an invention of rotating glass bowls that ping when struck) are gentle, etherial compositions that Mozart wrote just before his death for a blind virtuoso of this unusual instrument (hence the late Kochel number K. 617). They are quite unique compositions in all of classical music. Equally dreamy in tone is the much-loved Clarinet Quintet (K581) with Brymer that is much better than many other versions I have heard. (But, there are several beautiful recordings of this work). Hearing its radient, soaring autumnal textures, one is not surprised to learn that Mozart absolutely adored the clarinet and writing to its wide and expressive sonorities.

It is nearly universally agreed that Mozart's string quintets not only surpassed his earlier "Haydn" quartets but are amoung his finest chamber compositions - and in the entire clasical repertoire for that matter. Particularly, the late string quintets, K515 & 516, are thought to be Mozart's pinnacle chamber compositions. One will be hard pressed to find finer recordings of Mozart's magnificant string quintets than these by the legendary Grumiaux Trio (+ Lesueur and Gerecz to round out the quintet). Their landmark recordings here are cited in nearly every major review as a truly exceptional example of the art of chamber music playing. The major reviewers/guides (Gramophone, Jim Svejda, Penguin and Third Ear) all give them the highest accolades, while Gramophone notes that, "This edition belongs in the pantheon of Great Mozart recordings." In addition, Gramophone awarded the String Quintets here their highest award - one of the "Top 100 Recordings of All Time" - which is recognition about as high as you can get in the music world. Their playing are supremely lush, galantly poised and tonally opulant - serving this special niche of Mozart's output honorably. Grumiaux really sets a standard for the ages of how to play Mozart, and such perfection of style is seen in these works (as in much of his Mozart recordings.

Equally, the recorded sound of the highest clarity (as usual for Philips). Philip's Quintets I and II is an absolutely superb, timeless set of four CD's that contain some of the creme of the classical chamber repertoire. Having all the Quintets on four CD's is of great value - as is the DUO "twofer" price. Chamber enthusiasts will want to get both Vol.I and II as each set contains 2-3 major works that are amongst Mozart's most prized chamber compositions. A wonderful investment in history and music that will never go out of style.

Mozart: String Quartets; String Quintets

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Mozart: String Quartets; String Quintets

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004ZC0X
Release Date: 2006-02-21

Average customer rating:

Mozart and Brahms: Clarinet Quintets

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bruch: Works for Clarinet & Viola

ASIN: B00005NEZW
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Larghetto
III. Menuetto/Trio I/Trio II
IV. Rondo (Allegro Giocoso)
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Andantino/Presto Non Assai, Ma Con Sentimento
IV. Con Moto/Un Poco Meno Mosso

Average customer rating:

Quintessential Quintets
The pinnacle of Mozart's chamber works
Mozartian bliss

Mozart: Complete Quintets, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000041MQ
Release Date: 1997-06-10

Tracks:

String Quintet In B Flat, KV 174 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 1. Allegro Moderato
String Quintet In B Flat, KV 174 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 2. Adagio
String Quintet In B Flat, KV 174 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 3. Menuetto Ma Allegretto
String Quintet In B Flat, KV 174 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 4. Allegro
String Quintet In C Minor, KV 406 (516h) For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 1. Allegro
String Quintet In C Minor, KV 406 (516h) For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 2. Adante
String Quintet In C Minor, KV 406 (516h) For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 3. Menuetto In Canone
String Quintet In C Minor, KV 406 (516h) For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello: 4. Allegro
Quintet In E Flat, KV 407 For Horn, Violin, 2 Violas, And Cello: 1. Allegro
Quintet In E Flat, KV 407 For Horn, Violin, 2 Violas, And Cello: 2. Andante
Quintet In E Flat, KV 407 For Horn, Violin, 2 Violas, And Cello: 3. Allegro
Adagio In B Flat, KV 411For 2 Clarinets And 3 Basset Horns

Tracks:

Quintet In E Flat, KV 452 For Piano, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, And Bassoon: 1. Largo - Allegro moderato
Quintet In E Flat, KV 452 For Piano, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, And Bassoon: 2. Larghetto
Quintet In E Flat, KV 452 For Piano, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, And Bassoon: 3. Allegretto
String Qunitet In C, KV 515 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas, And Cello: 1. Allegro
String Qunitet In C, KV 515 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas, And Cello: 2. Andante
String Qunitet In C, KV 515 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas, And Cello: 3. Menuetto. Allegretto
4. Allegro

Amazon.com

If I could pick a musical premiere out of the past that I could have attended, I would probably choose one of those evenings when Mozart and Haydn took the two viola parts in the first performances of Mozart's string quintets. It's something to wonder at, anyway. The string quintets are not only Mozart's greatest chamber music, they are among the most profoundly inspired pieces of music by anyone for any instruments. Three of them can be found on this budget priced set, superbly performed, along with the Horn Quintet, and the Quintet for Piano and Winds, which inspired Beethoven to compose a not quite as successful sequel. Greatness, folks, pure and simple. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Quintessential Quintets.......2007-03-07

This is an outstanding 2-disc set from Philips at an even more outstanding price! These enchanting chamber pieces by Mozart seem to float on air, and transport the listener to another place in time. While these works may not have the sweeping grandeur of his symphonies and operas, they possess a remarkable intimacy, spirit, and beauty. In a nutshell, these works capture the qualities that make Mozart's music in general so special. The vivid performance of the string version of the 1781 wind serenade K388, (which here is KV 406), may be the highlight of the entire set. Simply an indispensable Mozart compilation that will enrich your life for years to come!

The pinnacle of Mozart's chamber works.......2005-03-27

It is nearly universally agreed that Mozart's string quintets not only surpassed his earlier "Haydn" string quartets but are amoung his finest chamber compositions and in the entire clasical repetory. Particularly, the late string quintets, K515 & 516, are thought to be Mozart's pinnacle chamber compositions - exceedingly rich in texture and tone as well as perfected symmetry of form. This is a high-quality grouping of Mozart's wonderful and instrumentally-diverse quintets (strings, piano/winds and horn). One quintet in this first volume that may be the most special is the fairly unique quintet for piano and wind quartet - a composition that Mozart even thought to be his finest at the time of writing. Its delicacy and skill of blending the more complex and powerful tones of the clavier with the graceful, nuanced timbres of the winds shows Mozart's mastery of composing for winds.

The performances of the string quintets by the quintet featuring legendary violinist, Aurther Grumiaux, are cited in nearly every major review as a truly exceptional example of the art of chamber music playing. Gramophone, Jim Svejda, Penguin and Third Ear Guides all give them the highest ratings, while Gramophone concluded that, "This edition belongs in the pantheon of Great Mozart recordings." Additionally, Gramophone awarded the String Quintets here their highest award - one of the "Top 100 Recordings of All Time" - which is an accolade about as high as you can get. The performances have that distinct polished Grumiaux elegance and tonal opulance while the recorded sound is of the highest clarity.

Philip's Quintets I and II is an absolutely superb, timeless set of four CD's that contain some of the creme of the classical chamber repertoire. It will be hard to find a better compilation of this calibre. Chamber enthusiasts will want to get both Vol.I and II as each set contains 2-3 major works that are treasured by many a Mozart fan. A wonderful investment that will reward the listener for a lifetime.

Mozartian bliss.......2000-06-30

This is a particularly ethereal set of discs. The main works here are three String Quintets, played by an augmented Grumiaux Trio with total assurance & commitment. These are all ravishingly beautiful works. The Horn Quintet, where the soloist is Timothy Brown, is a happy and spirited piece, again wonderfully played. The only question mark surrounds the rather literal, even wooden performance of the Piano Quintet with Ingrid Haebler & The Bamberg Wind Quintet. Compared to Murray Perahia & his ECO Wind Players, the recoridng here sounds far too measured and unspontaneous. Nevertheless, this cannot detract from the magnificence of the other recorded works on this disc, which are all to be had a a very reasonable price.

Mozart: String Quintets (Complete), Vol. 1

Average customer rating:

Quintet/Quartet Cycle Highly Reccommended

Mozart: String Quintets (Complete), Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Mozart: String Quintets (Complete), Vol. 2
Mozart: Complete String Quintets, Vol. 3
Mozart: String Quartets (Complete), Vol. 2
Mozart: String Quartets, K. 156, K. 158, K. 159, K. 458
String Quartets (Complete) Vol.1 K.428 & K.464

ASIN: B00000144E
Release Date: 1994-12-13

Tracks:

String Quartet In B Flat Major, K. 174: Allegro Moderato
String Quartet In B Flat Major, K. 174: Adagio
String Quartet In B Flat Major, K. 174: Menuetto Ma Allegro
String Quartet In B Flat Major, K. 174: Allegro
Trio (Erste, Verworfene Fassung Des Menuett - Trios - First, Discarded Version Of The Trio)
Allegro (Erste, Verworfene Fassung Des Finalsatzes - First, Discarded Version Of The Finale)
String Quintet In C Major, K. 515: Allegro
String Quintet In C Major, K. 515: Andante
String Quintet In C Major, K. 515: Menuetto: Alegretto
String Quintet In C Major, K. 515: Allegro

Amazon.com

The earliest of Mozart's string quintets, the work of a teenager, is still worthwhile Mozart. K. 515 is a masterpiece of the highest order. It's always a privilege to hear these pieces, but in the present instance it's a cheap treat also. The Eder Quartet and friend play with equal measures of vitality and refinement, giving us performances that would be competitive at any price. At Naxos's price, this disc is a steal. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Quintet/Quartet Cycle Highly Reccommended.......2003-08-09

I reccommend the Naxos Quartet and Quintet cycles to any serious Mozart lover or the average listener who want excellent quality and budget prices.
This recording includes the discarded versions of the Trio and the Finale and gives a beautiful rendition of the C major Quintet

Mozart: Complete String Quintets, Vol. 3

Average customer rating:

Excellent CD of Mozart's Last Major Chamber Works

Mozart: Complete String Quintets, Vol. 3

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mozart: String Quintets (Complete), Vol. 2
Mozart: String Quintets (Complete), Vol. 1
String Quartets (Complete) Vol.1 K.428 & K.464
Mozart: String Quartets (Complete), Vol. 4
Mozart: String Quartets (Complete), Vol. 8

ASIN: B000009OLX
Release Date: 1998-07-28

Tracks:

String Quintet In D Major, K 593: Larghetto
String Quintet In D Major, K 593: Adagio
String Quintet In D Major, K 593: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quintet In D Major, K 593: Allegro
String Quintet In E Flat Major, K 614: Allegretto di molto
String Quintet In E Flat Major, K 614: Andante
String Quintet In E Flat Major, K 614: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quintet In E Flat Major, K 614: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Excellent CD of Mozart's Last Major Chamber Works.......2007-04-08

Both of these String Quintets are the last of Mozart's major chamber works, and how wonderful they are. K.593 in D Major was written in December 1790, and is played very well by the augmented Eder Quartet. Even though Mozart is entering the last year of his tragically short life, the music is consistently great. The acoustic of this recording is full and natural, definitely enjoyable. Mozart's last Quintet, K.614 in E flat, composed in April 1791, is also full of wonderful turns of expression, as he so effectively uses the added second viola for some enjoyable tonal delights. This is the best of the three volumes of Mozart's String Quintets on Naxos. Volume 1 is good, but Volume 2 is disapponting. The Penguin Guide gave this third volume a 3-star review (outstanding). You will not be disappointed if you purchase this excellent, nicely-priced CD from the critically-acclaimed Naxos label.

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