Dvorak: Works for String Quartets, Vol. 5

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Cypresses was originally a song cycle. Dvorák later transcribed 12 of the 18 songs for string quartet. The result is as purely lyrical, undemanding, and lovely as anything in the chamber music literature. In a way it's Chamber Music Lite, with no complex development to follow, just a constant flow of melody. But who can complain when the melodies are as beautiful as these? The Quartet Movement--which does have development--is also lyrical, and it's so effective that one wonders why the composer never finished the Quartet he began. The Waltzes and Gavotte (for three violins) complete a consistently songful program, all of it played in a most beautiful, idiomatic style by the fine Czech ensemble. --Leslie Gerber

Dvorak: Works for String Quartets, Vol. 5, Music, Antonin Dvorak, Vlach Quartet Prague, Chamber, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Quartet for Four String Instruments, String Chamber Music, Trio for Three String Instruments
Dvorak: Works for String Quartets, Vol. 5
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Authentic Czech flavors - with some downside
 Dvorak: Works for String Quartets, Vol. 5

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  5. Dvorák: String Quartets No. 10, Op. 51; No. 14, Op. 105

ASIN: B000009OLZ
Release Date: 1998-07-28

Tracks:

  1. Cypresses, B. 152: I Know That On My Love
  2. Cypresses, B. 152: Death Reigns
  3. Cypresses, B. 152: When Thy Sweet Glances
  4. Cypresses, B. 152: Never Will Love Lead Us
  5. Cypresses, B. 152: Here Gaze I
  6. Cypresses, B. 152: O Charming Golden Rose
  7. Cypresses, B. 152: I Wander Oft
  8. Cypresses, B. 152: In Deepest Forest Glade
  9. Cypresses, B. 152: Thou Only Dear One
  10. Cypresses, B. 152: There Stands An Ancient Rock
  11. Cypresses, B. 152: Nature Lies Peaceful
  12. Cypresses, B. 152: You Are Asking Why
  13. String Quartet Movement In F Major, B.120: Allegro vivace
  14. Two Waltzes, Op. 54: Waltz No. 1: Moderato
  15. Two Waltzes, Op. 54: Waltz No. 2: Allegro vivace
  16. Gavotte, B. 164

Amazon.com

Cypresses was originally a song cycle. Dvorák later transcribed 12 of the 18 songs for string quartet. The result is as purely lyrical, undemanding, and lovely as anything in the chamber music literature. In a way it's Chamber Music Lite, with no complex development to follow, just a constant flow of melody. But who can complain when the melodies are as beautiful as these? The Quartet Movement--which does have development--is also lyrical, and it's so effective that one wonders why the composer never finished the Quartet he began. The Waltzes and Gavotte (for three violins) complete a consistently songful program, all of it played in a most beautiful, idiomatic style by the fine Czech ensemble. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Authentic Czech flavors - with some downside.......2006-04-19

The Vlach Quartet's Naxos recordings of Dvorak's abundant string quartets are one of the success stories of that budget label. Their nine or so volumes helped to add some fresh recordings to a sparse catalog. And, along with the legendary Prague Quartet's complete works on DG, the Vlach series can be wholeheartedly recommended for their idiomatic Czech flavors, crisp ensemble and realistic Naxos sound quality.

Like the main editoral review stated, these works are attractive, well-conceived works for string quartet that flow unincumbered with warm tones and gentle melodies. However, one thing to my ears at least that was less attractive and more distracting was the lead violinist's constant, sharp and fast vibrato that stood out too much from the rest of the quartet. This plus the overall, tonal (timbre) quality of the first violin just did not blend into the quartet's overall harmonies but stuck out needlessly. At first, I thought it was just me until I read a simimlar observation in The Third Ear Guide to Classical Music: "Their performances in general have a fluttery vibrato and a somewhat hesitant phrasing that I find less compelling than the Prague's more gutsy approach." But, like different voices in an opera, the listener will gravitate towards certain sounds and not others, so such nuances are largely personal preference. Personally, its one of the least attractive string sounds on any classical CD I own of 500 or so.

That said, my pick would lean towards the Prague's complete cycle - not the least of the reasons being they contain the whole of Dvorak's quartets. Barring perhaps the earliest ones that tend to ramble on, Dvorak's quartet as a whole are of high quality and worthy of exploration. But, if you are attracted to the sound of the first few Cypress movements here, then this recording should provide a stream of gently flowing delights. Dvorak's Piano Trios and Piano Quartets are also excellent compositions that deserve to be heard.

Track Listings:

  1. English Songs of the Middle Ages - Sequentia
  2. Four Seasons
  3. Franco Corelli - Songs and Arias
  4. Gershwin Plays Gershwin
  5. Giuseppe Verdi: Messa De Requiem/Quattro Pezzi Sacri
  6. Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 6 in a minor
  7. Handel: Essential Handel [Import]
  8. Handel - Tolomeo / J. Lane · B. Harris · A. Matthews · M.A. Hart · P. Castaldi · Manhattan CO · R.A. Clark
  9. Hercules: Musical Drama in Three Acts (HWV 60) [Box set]
  10. Hits Of 3 Tenors (karaoke)

Track Listings

track listings

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The Great Tenors, Volume Two

We Had to Let You Have It [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Violin Concertos/Sinfonia Concertante

Uptown Groove

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Trancazos Con Banda

Freddie King (1934-1976)

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