Mozart: Quintet in A; Franck: Quintet in Fm

Editorial Reviews
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These are "live" recordings in more ways than one: not only were they made under concert conditions, with plenty of audience noise, but the pickup is uncommonly bright, conveying lots of reflected sound and stage ambiance. The Amadeus Quartet turns in dependably stylish, well-thought-out performances, though there's little here that's exceptional. Martin Lovett, the group's cellist, comes off as a weaker player than his colleagues in places, while the quartet's guiding spirit, first violinist Norbert Brainin, proves erratic when it comes to rhythm, though his pitch in these vintage 1960-71 airchecks is much more secure than it would become in later decades. The real reason to be interested in this CD is the work of the two guest artists who join the Amadeus foursome in the main works. Of particular note is the playing of clarinetist Gervase de Peyer in the Mozart: elegant, precise, with that typically hollowed out but beautifully modulated tone. In the Franck (recorded in mono), pianist Clifford Curzon holds up his end most impressively, though he approaches the music somewhat icily in comparison with the fulminant address of his partners. Nonetheless, as played here, it's an imposing piece, to say the least. The sextet from Strauss's Capriccio makes a lovely closer. --Ted Libbey

Tracks:

Cl Qnt in A, K.581 'Stadler': I. Allegro - Gervase De Peyer/Amadeus Qt
Cl Qnt in A, K.581 'Stadler': II. Larghetto - Gervase De Peyer/Amadeus Qt
Cl Qnt in A, K.581 'Stadler': III. Menuetto - Trio I - Trio II - Gervase De Peyer/Amadeus Qt
Cl Qnt in A, K.581 'Stadler': IV. Allegretto Con Vars - Gervase De Peyer/Amadeus Qt
Pno Qnt in f: I. Molto Moderato Quasi Lento - Allegro - Clifford Curzon/Amadeus Qt
Pno Qnt in f: II. Lento, Con Molto Sentimento - Clifford Curzon/Amadeus Qt
Pno Qnt in f: III. Allegro Non Troppo, Ma Con Fuoco - Clifford Curzon/Amadeus Qt
Capriccio, Op.85: Prld: Andante Con Moto - Cecil Aronowitz/William Pleeth/Amadeus Qt

Amazon.com

These are "live" recordings in more ways than one: not only were they made under concert conditions, with plenty of audience noise, but the pickup is uncommonly bright, conveying lots of reflected sound and stage ambiance. The Amadeus Quartet turns in dependably stylish, well-thought-out performances, though there's little here that's exceptional. Martin Lovett, the group's cellist, comes off as a weaker player than his colleagues in places, while the quartet's guiding spirit, first violinist Norbert Brainin, proves erratic when it comes to rhythm, though his pitch in these vintage 1960-71 airchecks is much more secure than it would become in later decades. The real reason to be interested in this CD is the work of the two guest artists who join the Amadeus foursome in the main works. Of particular note is the playing of clarinetist Gervase de Peyer in the Mozart: elegant, precise, with that typically hollowed out but beautifully modulated tone. In the Franck (recorded in mono), pianist Clifford Curzon holds up his end most impressively, though he approaches the music somewhat icily in comparison with the fulminant address of his partners. Nonetheless, as played here, it's an imposing piece, to say the least. The sextet from Strauss's Capriccio makes a lovely closer. --Ted Libbey

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