Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 1

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
If you believe the Schwann Opus catalog--I don't!--this disc is the only survivor of a set of three containing Mendelssohn's complete string quartets. His quartets, like much of his music, aren't nearly as well known as they deserve to be. The Quartet in D, a substantial piece, reflects Mendelssohn's typical sunny personal and musical disposition. But his final quartet, written during the brief period between his sister's death and his own, is as starkly tragic a piece as anyone of the era composed. These performances, by members of the San Francisco Symphony, are among the best Mendelssohn ever recorded. The disc is a spectacular bargain. --Leslie Gerber

Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 1, Music, Margaret Tait, Felix Mendelssohn, Aurora String Quartet, Basil Vendryes, Mariko Smiley, Sharon Grebanier, Chamber, Classical, Classical Composers, Quartet for Four String Instruments
Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 1
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Fantastic recording of one of the greatest quartests written
  • Fire-breathing dragon in F minor
  • great and speedy service
  • Excellent version
  • First-rate at a cut-rate price.
 Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 2
  2. Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 3
  3. Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2
  4. Mendelssohn: Octet, Op. 20; Quintet, Op. 87
  5. Dvorák: String Quartets No. 10, Op. 51; No. 14, Op. 105

ASIN: B0000013ZF
Release Date: 1994-10-04

Tracks:

  1. String Quarter No. 6 in F Minor, Op. 80: Allegro assai - Presto
  2. String Quarter No. 6 in F Minor, Op. 80: Allegro assai
  3. String Quarter No. 6 in F Minor, Op. 80: Adagio
  4. String Quarter No. 6 in F Minor, Op. 80: Finale: Allegro molto
  5. String Quarter No. 3 in D Major, Op. 44: Molto allegro vivace
  6. String Quarter No. 3 in D Major, Op. 44: Menuetto: Un poco Allegro
  7. String Quarter No. 3 in D Major, Op. 44: Andante expressivo ma con moto
  8. String Quarter No. 3 in D Major, Op. 44: Presto con brio
  9. Capriccio in E Minor, Op. 81 No. 3: Andante con moto - Allegro fugato, assai vivace
  10. Fugue in E Flat Major, Op. 81 No. 4: A tempo ordinario

Amazon.com

If you believe the Schwann Opus catalog--I don't!--this disc is the only survivor of a set of three containing Mendelssohn's complete string quartets. His quartets, like much of his music, aren't nearly as well known as they deserve to be. The Quartet in D, a substantial piece, reflects Mendelssohn's typical sunny personal and musical disposition. But his final quartet, written during the brief period between his sister's death and his own, is as starkly tragic a piece as anyone of the era composed. These performances, by members of the San Francisco Symphony, are among the best Mendelssohn ever recorded. The disc is a spectacular bargain. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Fantastic recording of one of the greatest quartests written.......2007-01-10

I should first confess that I have a pretty large soft spot for dark and complex chamber music so this is something I was naturally drawn to. With that out of the way, I consider Mendelssohn's string quartet #6 in F minor to be one of the finest chamber pieces ever composed, and the Aurora quartet's recording of it is my preferred version.

I could listen to the quartet in F minor and the capriccio in E minor on repeat for days... and admittedly have done so on multiple occasions.

5 out of 5 stars Fire-breathing dragon in F minor.......2007-01-02

Along with Mozart and Saint Saens, Felix Mendelssohn was one of the genuine child prodigy composers in history. Although written long after his childhood years - and after painful, heartbreaking life experiences - Mendelssohn's F-minor string quartet (op. 80) here is one of the finest quartets from that era. Its a real fire-breathing dragon of a composition that was almost assuredly resulting from the traumatic circumstances of his beloved sister's death. It is a must for collectors of string quartets. The Aurora Quartet plays this piece brilliant and the Naxos sound engineering fully supports a powerful listening experience. If you have never heard this work, you might say like I did afterwards, "Holy Cow! That was amazing!" Oh yah, the other quartet and individual pieces that round out the CD are great too. The D major quartet has its own firey punch, happier themes along with gorgeous slow movements. Kudos to the Aurora Quartet for giving due honor to these great compositions with staturesque performances. A real winner here. Compositions - 5 stars; Performance - 5 stars; Sound - 5 stars.

5 out of 5 stars great and speedy service.......2006-08-23

the price was right and the service was friendly and fast!

5 out of 5 stars Excellent version.......2005-02-03

I have Vols 1 & 2 of the Aurora Quartet Naxos set and recommend them highly. The playing is expressive and technically this California ensemble is top notch. I often have problems with the quality of the Naxos label recordings. I'm happy to say this is not a problem with this set of recordings. By way of comparison, I have the Ysaye Quartet recording of Opp 12, 13 and 80 as well. The Ysaye are good and often exciting but sometimes astringent. Let's let my actions do the talking: I listen to the Aurora set almost exclusively now.

5 out of 5 stars First-rate at a cut-rate price........2004-01-14

I'll only add to the mostly well-written reviews already submitted: I recommend this recording as a first resort for those who don't own any Mendelssohn quartets or those represented here and as a next resort for those who do. The playing and sound of this recording are superb in every respect; the performers and the composer are perfectly suited.

For those who don't know the Op. 80 quartet, you're in for a surprise. This is anguished music full of as much dissonance and rhythmic upheaval as the period would allow (especially the suspensions in the development of the first movement). I don't know of a piece of music more deserving of discovery, yet I've never seen it on a quartet program. One could claim to hear bits of Schubert's Quartettsatz or Beethoven's "Tragic", but this work is Mendelssohn's own, written during a period of great personal loss. For once, he has jettisoned decorum.

With this recording, Naxos is throwing diamonds at us.
Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 2
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Superb Set of Three
Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 2
Felix Mendelssohn , and Aurora String Quartet
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by MendelssohnAll Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 1
  2. Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 3
  3. Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2
  4. Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Op. 49 & Op. 66
  5. Mendelssohn: Octet, Op. 20; Quintet, Op. 87

ASIN: B0000013ZG
Release Date: 1994-06-28

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet No. 1 In E Flat Major, Op. 12: Adagio non troppo - Allegro non tardante
  2. String Quartet No. 1 In E Flat Major, Op. 12: Canzonetta: Allegretto - Piu mosso
  3. String Quartet No. 1 In E Flat Major, Op. 12: Andante espressivo - attacca
  4. String Quartet No. 1 In E Flat Major, Op. 12: Molto allegro e vivace
  5. String Quartet No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 44, No. 2: Allegro assai appassionato
  6. String Quartet No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 44, No. 2: Scherzo: Allegro di molto
  7. String Quartet No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 44, No. 2: Andante - attacca
  8. String Quartet No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 44, No. 2: Presto agitato
  9. String Quartet In E Flat Major: Allegro moderato
  10. String Quartet In E Flat Major: Adagio non troppo
  11. String Quartet In E Flat Major: Minuetto - Trio - Minuetto
  12. String Quartet In E Flat Major: Fuga

Amazon.com

Play Mendelssohn's Quartet in E Flat for a music-loving friend, epecially the fugal finale, and ask him or her to guess the composer's age. This is another of those amazing products of Mendelssohn's early adolescence, written when the composer was 14. It's hardly ever performed and not often recorded, and it may not be the equal of Mendelssohn's mature Quartets. But it's a substantial piece and holds your interest, especially in the alert, charming performance on this disc. The two later Quartets are played equally well. This is a generously programmed (72-minute) CD, full of fine music in satisfying performances, and vividly recorded. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Superb Set of Three .......2007-04-18

I cannot say I am a huge fan of too many Naxos recordings, but the Aurora String Quartet series of quartets by the great child-prodigy composer Felix Mendelssohn is certainly a star. The lead Amazon reviewer summarized it well - superb music, beautiful tonality and passionately played and excellent sound dynamics. This is fine, deeply satisfying quartet playing of very well-written compositions. Even the earliest work (Op. 12) is wonderous in its conception. In some ways, their playing reminds me of the great Alban Berg Quartet for its refined sensibilities. If you are already familiar with the string quartets of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, by all means do not neglect these gems from the same era. Suggest starting with Vol. 1 then Vol. 2 and finally Vol. 3. 5 stars on all levels.
Mendelssohn: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 3
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Mendelssohn: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 3

    Manufacturer: MD&G Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
    Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by MendelssohnAll Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 2
    2. Mendelssohn: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1, Op. 12 & 13

    ASIN: B0000AKPK4
    Release Date: 2003-11-25

    Tracks:

    1. Allegro Vivace
    2. Scherzo. Assai Leggiero Vivace
    3. Adagio Non Troppo
    4. Molto Allegro Con Fuoco
    5. Scherzo. Allegro Leggiero
    6. Tema Con Variazioni. Andante
    7. Allegro Vivaca Assai
    8. Allegro Assai
    9. Adagio
    10. Finale. Allegro Molto
    Mendelssohn: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1, Op. 12 & 13
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Mendelssohn: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1, Op. 12 & 13
      Leipzig String Quartet
      Manufacturer: MD&G Records
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
      Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
      All Works by MendelssohnAll Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      Similar Items:
      1. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 2
      2. Mendelssohn: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 3

      ASIN: B00005O59F
      Release Date: 2001-11-20

      Tracks:

      1. String Quartet op. 13: Adagio-Allegro
      2. String Quartet op. 13: Adagio non lento
      3. String Quartet op. 13: Intermezzo. Allegretto con moto
      4. String Quartet op. 13: Presto
      5. String Quartet op. 12: Adagio non troppo/Allegro non tardante
      6. String Quartet op. 12: Canzonetta. Allegretto
      7. String Quartet op. 12: Andante espressivo
      8. String Quartet op. 12: Molto allegro e vivace
      Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 2
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 2

        Manufacturer: MD&G Records
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
        Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by MendelssohnAll Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        Similar Items:
        1. Mendelssohn: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1, Op. 12 & 13
        2. Mendelssohn: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 3

        ASIN: B000094YRC
        Release Date: 2003-07-22

        Tracks:

        1. Molto Allegro Vivace
        2. Menuetto. Un Poco Allegretto
        3. Andante Espressivo Ma Con Moto
        4. Presto Con Brio
        5. Allegro Assai Appassionato
        6. Scherzo. Allegro Di Molto
        7. Andante
        8. Presto Agitato
        9. Fuga. A Tempo Ordinario
        10. 1 Andante Con Moto, 2 Allegro Fugato, Assai Vivace
        Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 1
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 1

          Manufacturer: Pavane
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
          Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
          All Works by MendelssohnAll Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
          ASIN: B00005A0JJ
          Release Date: 2001-02-27
          Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 1
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 1

            Manufacturer: Naxos
            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD

            QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
            All Works by MendelssohnAll Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
            ASIN: B000026083
            Release Date: 1994-01-01

            Tracks:

            1. String Quarter No. 6 in F Minor, Op. 80: Allegro assai - Presto
            2. String Quarter No. 6 in F Minor, Op. 80: Allegro assai
            3. String Quarter No. 6 in F Minor, Op. 80: Adagio
            4. String Quarter No. 6 in F Minor, Op. 80: Finale: Allegro molto
            5. String Quarter No. 3 in D Major, Op. 44: Molto allegro vivace
            6. String Quarter No. 3 in D Major, Op. 44: Menuetto: Un poco Allegro
            7. String Quarter No. 3 in D Major, Op. 44: Andante expressivo ma con moto
            8. String Quarter No. 3 in D Major, Op. 44: Presto con brio
            9. Capriccio in E Minor, Op. 81 No. 3: Andante con moto - Allegro fugato, assai vivace
            10. Fugue in E Flat Major, Op. 81 No. 4: A tempo ordinario

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