Clarinet Quartets

1. Quartet for clarinet & strings in E flat major, KWV5203
Composed by Conradin Kreutzer
with Michel Lethiec

2. Quartet for clarinet & string trio
Composed by Johann Baptist Vanhal
with Michel Lethiec

3. Quartet for clarinet, violin, viola & cello in E-flat major, WoO5, S78
Composed by Johann Nepomuk Hummel
with Michel Lethiec

Clarinet Quartets,Michel Lethiec,Johann Nepomuk Hummel,Conradin Kreutzer,Johann Baptist Vanhal,Talent,Chamber,Chamber Music,Chamber Music & Recitals,Classical,Quartet for Mixed Instruments without Keyboard

Average customer rating: A Strange, Yet Lovely Piece Start here- this is the convincing Golijov. consistent, vibrant, true... As boring as the rest of his opus Extremely powerful.

Golijov: Yiddishbbuk St. Lawrence String Quartet , Todd Palmer , and Ying Quartet Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Osvaldo Golijov: Ayre The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind Osvaldo Golijov: Ainadamar La Pasion Segun San Marcos (St. Mark Passion) Nuevo ASIN: B000066SFP Release Date: 2007-01-08

Tracks:

1. Last Round: Movido, urgente-Macho, cool and dangerous
2. Last Round: Lentissimo
3. Lullaby And Doina: Lullaby
4. Lullaby And Doina: Doina
5. Lullaby And Doina: Gallop
6. Yiddishbbuk: I
7. Yissishbbuk: II
8. Yiddishbbuk: III
9. The Dreams And Prayers Of Isaac The Blind: Prelude: Calmo, sospeso
10. The Dreams And Prayers Of Isaac The Blind: Agitato-Con
11. The Dreams And Prayers Of Isaac The Blind: Teneramente-Ruvido-Presto
12. The Dreams And Prayers Of Isaac The Blind: Calmo, sospeso-Allegro
13. The Dreams And Prayers Of Isaac The Blind: Postlude: Lento,

Amazon.com

This is an amazing recording. It will leave you drained of emotion and speechless with admiration. Osvaldo Golijov was born in Argentina in 1960. His Eastern Jewish family played and listened to music from classical to klezmer and tango. He lived briefly in Jerusalem, absorbing the musical traditions there, and came to America in 1986. His works encompass all the styles he has been exposed to, but except for "Last Round," a "sublimated tango" part raucous, part mournful (and written in homage to Piazzolla), this program represents Golijov's Jewish roots.

"Lullaby and Doina" incorporates Jewish and Gypsy themes, part slow and sad, part wild and motoric, with a radiant violin solo soaring above the woodwinds. "Yiddishbbuk," written for the St. Lawrence Quartet on Tanglewood's Fromm Commission, is inspired by a line from an apocryphal psalm: "No one sings as purely as those who are in the deepest hell...." Its first movement commemorates three children who perished in the Nazi concentration camp Terezin. Golijov evokes their anguish in music that is by turns wild, raucous, slashing, mysterious, eerie, and always heart-rending. Tremolos flutter up above aching dissonances, alternating with organlike, sustained chords; slides and crashes sound like strangled death cries. Isaac the Blind was a famous kabbalist rabbi and mystic. His "Dreams and Prayers," scored for string quartet and clarinet, are depicted in music that is calm, mysterious, meditative, and devout, but intermittently breaks into traditional dance tunes, and builds up to several tremendous climaxes. The clarinet speaks, sings, sobs, screams, and prays in true klezmer style. The playing is fabulous, the total effect mesmerizing, but the real miracle is that this young Canadian quartet and American clarinetist can identify so completely with a culture surely worlds away from their own. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

A Strange, Yet Lovely Piece.......2007-05-29

I heard this first in concert played by Tood Palmer, and I can honestly say that it was one of the most amazing performances ever. Once I heard that, I just had to get the CD. The CD is strange and moody with a strong Yiddish flavor, but it is original enough to stand up on its own. This CD is worth it, if only to get "Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind."

Start here- this is the convincing Golijov........2006-09-15

If there is one disc out there that can convince you that Osvaldo Golijov is worth hearing, spending your money on, and part of the future of "serious" music, this is the one. His other major works- the St. Mark Passion and the opera Ainadamar included- make vibrant use of his folk and latin music influences, but I've felt sometimes that his use of these elements has tended to overshadow his prodigious compositional ability in places. Not so here. The Golijov pieces presented over the course of "Yiddishbbuk" is a risk taking modern voice who has something new, daring, and thought provoking to say. His other works are certainly worth looking into with an open mind, but to be convinced, please treat yourself to this recording.

consistent, vibrant, true..........2005-04-15

This CD is a must for anyone who loves Golijov's music. Even more so a must for someone that wants to start wading into the surprisingly warm waters of contemporary music. Golijov is about as good as it gets and he deserves every iota and ink drop of praise ascribed to him.

As do the performers. The Ying and St. Lawrence Quartets have been playing and laughing and collaborating together for over a decade now and you hear the warmth of their relationship (MOST present on stage) in this work.

Oh, and Todd Palmer pretty much ROCKS, too. When I saw him and the St. Lawrence do this live a little over a year ago he sang and grunted his way through the piece's motley clarinet scoring with elegance, pathos, and humor. And the same vibe is as much in the recording as it was that night.

As boring as the rest of his opus.......2004-02-02

I consider Golijov the Britanny Spears of new music. He re-hashes what others have done,albeit with less originality than Britanny, all the while making me nod off.

Extremely powerful........2002-08-27

When I was listening to this recording I could feel my nerves going raw. It was a cry and it was a joy. It was a calling from the past. It was full of memory.

Average customer rating: Very Good, but beware technical problems This is how all Brahms should be played! Mastery and joy 9 CDs with THE AMADEUS: WHAT A BARGAN! Exquisite music performed with exquisite artistry

Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets Karl Leister , Johannes Brahms , Christoph Eschenbach , Cecil Aronowitz , Norbert Brainin , Siegmund Nissel , and Amadeus Quartet Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Schubert: The String Quartets Brahms: Works for Solo Piano Beethoven - The Complete String Quartets / Alban Berg Quartet Beethoven: The String Quartets Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets / Emerson String Quartet ASIN: B00008RWRG Release Date: 2003-10-14

Customer Reviews:

Very Good, but beware technical problems.......2007-05-26

Overall, I really enjoy these pieces. The playing is good, and the sound is quite live, which I enjoy. My favorite piece is the Quintet in G Major Op.111, though the sextet in Bb is a close second. I am a perfectionist, and my familiarity with these pieces led me to be a little dissapointed, which is why there is only 4 stars. My dissapointment stems from two facts:
1. In the first movement of the Brahms G Major Op.111, the string quintet elects not to take the repeat in m.56, so you will never hear the first ending on this recording and thus only get one shot at the awesome cello opening. I haven't listened closely enough to the other pieces on this set to discern if they avoided other repeats or not, but for the most part, they appear to be there.

2. There are technical printing problems. Though the recording is so live that you can hear the breath of the musicians and their fingers fall on the strings, there are some actual technical pops in the recording. Perhaps it was a transfer problem from analog to digital, as the recordings are old. Most of these pops are minor, but they are dissapointing for an audiophile such as myself. My CDs are pristine (no scratches at all), and even the first time playing them these pops were there. So, here's the list of what I've found thus far:

CD 3:
Track 6: Pops & clicks at 1:19 & 1:22.

CD 5:
Track 1: Pops at 6:01.
Track 2: Pops & clicks at 0:13, 3:56, & 6:16.
Track 5: Pop at 12:07.
Track 7: Pop & clicks at 6:11, 7:45, 7:51-7:52 (these are quite noticable), 7:59, 8:03, 8:11.
Track 8: Pop at 7:34.

It is a well-played set; hopefully they will get the printing correct on the next batch.

This is how all Brahms should be played!.......2007-02-14

There isn't much to say about this set, but I'll say what there is to say: These players play the Brahms chamber music here with such emotion, musical understanding, and overall perfection that this set should be made into a must for all Brahms chamber music lovers. The Amadeus quartet, along with all of the other performers, including Eschenbach on the piano and Leister on the clarinet, really know what they're doing and play it so beautifully that the listener will want to hear the pieces again and again until the CD player is practically worn out. These Brahms works are some of the most sublime works of the later 19th century. For such quality music and great sound, especially for having been recorded in the 1960's, the price is also great. I recommend this set very highly, and hope you decide to get and enjoy it as much as I do.

Mastery and joy.......2006-12-12

Because they lasted such a long time and toward the end didn't play at their best, I found reasons to overlook the Madeus Qt. But in this 9-CD set of the complete chamber music of Brahms, there are some sublime performances--I would especially point to both String Sextets, for example. In every instance the style of the Amadeus is full of vibrancy and joy, and their ensemble isn't baased on technical perfection but rather a kinship of musical taste and feeling (this puts them poles apart from the Emerson Qt., for me at least). I also love the Brahms chamber performances on Sony with Yo-Yo Ma, Isaac Stern, emanuel Ax, and friends, but this DG set is altogether sweeter and more lyrical.

Since Amazon neglects to list the additional players who join the Amadeus for the works that aren't soely for a string quartet, here's the run-down from Tower:

1. Quartet for Strings no 1 in C minor, Op. 51 no 1
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet

2. Quartet for Strings no 2 in A minor, Op. 51 no 2
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet

3. Quartet for Strings no 3 in B flat major, Op. 67
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet

4. Quintet for Piano and Strings in F minor, Op. 34
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Eschenbach, Christoph

5. Quintet for Strings no 1 in F major, Op. 88
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil

6. Quintet for Strings no 2 in G major, Op. 111
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil

7. Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano in A minor, Op. 114
Performer: Leister, Karl; Eschenbach, Christoph; Donderer, Georg

8. Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in B minor, Op. 115
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Leister, Karl

9. Sextet for Strings no 1 in B flat major, Op. 18
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil; Pleeth, William

10. Sextet for Strings no 2 in G major, Op. 36
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil; Pleeth, William

9 CDs with THE AMADEUS: WHAT A BARGAN!.......2005-10-04

This is a really nice set at a bargan price.

Exquisite music performed with exquisite artistry.......2005-05-20

All the passion, majesty, pathos, and soul of his symphonies is in these 10 works of chamber music by Brahms:

3 string quartets;
2 string quintets;
2 string sextets;
a quintet for piano, 2 violins, viola, and violoncello;
a trio for piano, clarinet, and violoncello;
and a quintet for clarinet, 2 violins, viola, and violoncello.

All this wealth of extraordinary music is in a 5 CD set, performed by one of the finest chamber music ensembles in the world, with the added artistry of Christoph Eschenbach (piano), Cecil Aronowitz (viola), and Karl Leister (clarinet).

One CD is 50' 36 in length, 2 are in the low 60's, and 2 are in the low 70's.

I have an inexpensive CD player, but this music emerges from it with the sharpness of etched glass, the smoothness of warmed honey, and the softness of rivers of silver in moonlight.

This is music to celebrate the joy and the pathos of life, played with soul, sensitivity, and power. Buy it and treasure this gift to yourself.

Average customer rating: The "Clinker" of the bunch

Brahms: The Masterworks (Box Set) Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Intermezzos | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Variations | Variations | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Clarinet | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Dvorák: The Masterworks [Box Set] Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set) Beethoven: The Masterworks (Box Set) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Complete Works (170 CD Box Set) ASIN: B00062FLIS Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

The "Clinker" of the bunch.......2006-12-19

Having collected the entire "The Masterworks" series (including the Bach and Mozart Complete Works) this set is the 'clinker' of the bunch. First off... 6 CD's of Lieder 'historic' (pre-historic) recordings. No Overtures, No Orchestral Seranades, No Haydn Variations?? The performances of the Symphonies and the Concertos are shakey and not very well recorded. Brilliant Classics, who has done such a wonderful job with the Hadyn Complete Symphonies (licensed from Nimbus), the Mozart and Bach Complete sets, has stumbled a bit with this release.

Average customer rating: Masterful Mozart

Mozart: The Piano Quartets Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Mozart: The Complete Piano Trios Mozart: The Six String Quintets Mozart: Complete String Trios & Duos Mozart: String quartets K. 465 "Dissonance", K. 458 "The Hunt" & K. 421 Beethoven: The Piano Trios ASIN: B0001ENYJ4 Release Date: 2004-02-24

Tracks:

1. I. Allegro - Jaime Laredo
2. II. Larghetto - Jaime Laredo
3. III. Allegretto - Jaime Laredo
4. I. Allegro - Jaime Laredo
5. II. Andante - Jaime Laredo
6. III. Rondo - Jaime Laredo
7. I. Andante - Richard Stoltzman
8. II. Menuetto - Trio - Richard Stoltzman
9. III. Rondeauz. Allegretto - Richard Stoltzman

Customer Reviews:

Masterful Mozart.......2006-01-27

These two "Piano Quartets" are Mozart at his most magnificent. The team of Ma, Ax, Stern and Laredo, who also brought us classic chamber recordings by Beethoven, Brahms, Faure, and most recently Dvorak, here tackle Mozart with glowing results. I have to say that while I'm a huge fan of Yo-Yo Ma and Isaac Stern, I can be luke warm about Emanuel Ax . While I don't dispute his virtuosity, I sometimes have found his playing style cold and uninspiring. Oh, but not here! This quartet's playing is wonderfully telepathic, and they make the music jump off the page. There's even a little improvising going on, and while it may not be of the same volume and nature as John Coltrane and Miles Davis, it is of similar quality. This Mozart "Piano Quartets" is an essential purchase for serious fans, and a great introduction for newcomers. Happy 250th Wolfie!

Average customer rating:

Mozart: Quintets, Quartets, Trios, etc. Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mozart: Violin Concertos; Wind Concertos Mozart: Violin Sonatas; String Duos & Trios Mozart: String Quartets; String Quintets Mozart: Divertimenti for Strings and Winds; Divertimenti & Serenades for Winds Mozart: Symphonies ASIN: B00004YSBG Release Date: 2006-02-14

Average customer rating: Never mind the gay, just enjoy the music 20th Century Composers OUT on the Town Art at its best!!

Gay American Composers Manufacturer: Composers Recordings ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Tangos | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Del Tredici | Del Tredici, David | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Harrison | Harrison, Lou | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Hoiby, Lee | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gay & Lesbian | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Gay American Composers-Volume 2 Out Classics Dante's Cove The Light in the Piazza (2005 Original Broadway Cast) Michael Tolliver Lives: A Novel ASIN: B000005TY0 Release Date: 1996-05-21

Tracks:

1. Homage A Rachmaninoff
2. Five Songs On Poems Of Walt Whitman: I Was There
3. Variations
4. Estampe
5. Incitation To Desire: Tango
6. The Nantucket Songs: The Dance
7. The Nantucket Songs: Nantucket
8. The Nantucket Songs: Go, Lovely Rose
9. The Nantucket Songs: The Dancer
10. Fantasy Pieces: I. Adagio
11. Fantasy Pieces: II. Poco Allegretto
12. Fantasy Pieces: III. Allegro Minacciando (...Diabolique)
13. Fantasy Pieces: IV. Largo
14. Two Quartets: Desire-Movement
15. In The Department Of Love
16. Bass Trombone, Bass Clarinet, Harp
17. Transform (Stream): Transform (Stream) (Excerpt)
18. Serenade For Betty Freeman & Franco Assetto
19. Walt Whitman In 1989
20. Hommage a Faure

Customer Reviews:

Never mind the gay, just enjoy the music.......2005-01-18

If you are dubious about the "gayness" of this music, no worries! So are most of the composers on this disc. Strangely, despite the premise of the collection, in the liner notes most deny their music is "gay," even if their lives are. Aside from the Whitman texts and a few other hints, you would be hard pressed to hear anything here but beautiful 20th cen. American music. And it is a beautiful selection, nice especially for the inclusion of lesser known young composers along with Rorem and Harrison.

20th Century Composers OUT on the Town.......2002-09-26

...Of the composers of note during the last 100 years or so (here in America) the vast majority of them are/were gay. This disc, with it's companion Volume 2 are a way to step into the gay sensibility a bit...

Well, I defy anyone to listen to Walt Whitman in 1989, by the late Chris De Blasio and have them tell me that isn't the heart-rendering cry of a gay man for his dying generation.

I don't want to give the impression that this disc is a downer. It isn't. But it is defiantly gay. Painfully beautiful, and at times downright challenging. Buy it. Stick it in you drive, and luxuriate in the fabulousness (and I don't use the "F" word lightly).

Art at its best!!.......2001-06-06

Absolutely wonderful music! I recommend this recording highly! The most moving works represented were provided by Philadelphia composer Robert Maggio and New Yorker Lee Hoiby.

Average customer rating: The "Unknown" Beethoven... Simply Delightful! Brilliant if sometimes odd rhythm and tempo

Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 14: Misc. Chamber Works Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Septets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Mandolin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Complete Beethoven Edition Vol. 6 - Piano Works / Demus, Alder, Gilels, Mustonen, Kempff, Barenboim Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 7: Violin Sonatas Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 2: Concertos Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 9: Piano Trios Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 10: String Trios ASIN: B000001GZH Release Date: 1997-12-09

Tracks:

1. No. 1 In E Flat Major: 1. Adagio assai - attacca - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. No. 1 In E Flat Major: 2. Allegro con spirito - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. No. 1 In E Flat Major: 3. Tema. Cantabile - Variazioni I-VI - Tema. Allegretto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4. No. 2 In D Major: 1. Allegro moderato - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5. No. 2 In D Major: 2. Andante con moto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
6. No. 2 In D Major: 3. Rondo. Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
7. No. 3 In C Major: 1. Allegro vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
8. No. 3 In C Major: 2. Adagio con expressione - Ludwig Van Beethoven
9. No. 3 In C Major: 3. Rondo. Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Trio For Piano, Flute, And Bassoon In G Major: 1. Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. Trio For Piano, Flute, And Bassoon In G Major: 2. Adagio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Trio For Piano, Flute, And Bassoon In G Major: 3. Tema andante con Variazioni - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4. Sonata For Piano And Horn In F Major: 1. Allegro moderato - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5. Sonata For Piano And Horn In F Major: 2. Poco Adagio, quasi Andante - Ludwig Van Beethoven
6. Sonata For Piano And Horn In F Major: 3. Rondo. Allegro moderato - Ludwig Van Beethoven
7. Sextet For 2 Horns, 2 Violins, Viola And Cello In E Flat Major: 1. Allegro con brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
8. Sextet For 2 Horns, 2 Violins, Viola And Cello In E Flat Major: 2. Adagio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
9. Sextet For 2 Horns, 2 Violins, Viola And Cello In E Flat Major: 3. Rondo. Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Quintet For Piano, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn And Bassoon In E Flat Major: 1. Grave - Allegro, ma non troppo
2. Quintet For Piano, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn And Bassoon In E Flat Major: 2. Andante cantabile
3. Quintet For Piano, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn And Bassoon In E Flat Major: 3. Rondo. Allegro, ma non troppo
4. Serenade For Flute, Violin And Viola In D Major, Op. 25: 1. Entrada. Allegro
5. Serenade For Flute, Violin And Viola In D Major, Op. 25: 2. Tempo ordinario d'un Minuetto
6. Serenade For Flute, Violin And Viola In D Major, Op. 25: 3. Allegro molto
7. Serenade For Flute, Violin And Viola In D Major, Op. 25: 4. Andante con Variazioni
8. Serenade For Flute, Violin And Viola In D Major, Op. 25: 5. Allegro scherzando e vivace
9. Serenade For Flute, Violin And Viola In D Major, Op. 25: 6. Adagio - Allegro vivace e disinvolto
10. Sonatina In C Minor: Adagio
11. Adagio In E Flat Major: Adagio (ma non troppo)
12. Sonatine In C Major: Allegro
13. Variations In D Major

Tracks:

1. Trio For Piano Clarinet And Cello In B Flat Major: 1. Allegro con brio
2. Trio For Piano Clarinet And Cello In B Flat Major: 2. Adagio
3. Trio For Piano Clarinet And Cello In B Flat Major: 3.Tema. 'Pria ch'io l'impegno'. Allegretto - Allegro
4. Septet For Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Cello And Double Bass In E Flat Major: 1. Adagio - Allegro con brio
5. Septet For Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Cello And Double Bass In E Flat Major:: 2. Adagio cantabile
6. Septet For Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Cello And Double Bass In E Flat Major:: 3. Tempo di Menuetto
7. Septet For Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Cello And Double Bass In E Flat Major: 4. Tema. Andante con Variazioni
8. Septet For Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Cello And Double Bass In E Flat Major: 5. Scherzo. Allegro molto e vivace
9. Septet For Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Cello And Double Bass In E Flat Major: 6. Andante con moto alla Marcia - Presto
10. Fugue For String Quintet In D Major: Allegretto

Tracks:

1. Quintet For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello In C Major: I. Allegro
2. Quintet For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello In C Major: II. Adagio molto espressivo
3. Quintet For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello In C Major: III. Scherzo. Allegro
4. Quintet For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello In C Major: IV. Presto
5. Prelude And Fugue For 2 Violins And Cello In E Minor: Praeludium
6. Prelude And Fugue For 2 Violins And Cello In E Minor: Fuge
7. Six Minuets For Two Violins And Bass: No. 1 In E Flat Major
8. Six Minuets For Two Violins And Bass: No. 2 In G Major
9. Six Minuets For Two Violins And Bass: No. 3 In C Major
10. Six Minuets For Two Violins And Bass: No. 4 In F Major
11. Six Minuets For Two Violins And Bass: No. 5 In D Major
12. Six Minuets For Two Violins And Bass: No. 6 In G Major
13. Duet For Viola And Cello In E Flat Major: Allegro
14. Duet For Viola And Cello In E Flat Major: Allegretto
15. Six Landler For Two Violins And Bass: No. 1 In D Major
16. Six Landler For Two Violins And Bass: No. 2 In D Major
17. Six Landler For Two Violins And Bass: No. 3 In D Major
18. Six Landler For Two Violins And Bass: No. 4 In D Minor
19. Six Landler For Two Violins And Bass: No. 5 In D Major
20. Six Landler For Two Violins And Bass: No. 6 In D Major
21. Duet For Two Violins In A Major
22. Canon In A Major (Probably For Two Violins)

Tracks:

1. Six Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 1. Air ecossais: 'The Cottage Maid'. Tema. Andantino quasi Allegretto - Var. I-II - Var. III. Allegro - Tempo I
2. Six Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 2. Air ecossais: 'Von edlem Geschlect war Shinkin'. Tema. Allegretto scherzoso - Var. I-II - Var. III. Allegretto-Allegro
3. Six Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 3. Air autrichien: 'A Schusserl und a Reindl'. Tema. Andantino - Var. I-IV - Var. V. Adagio sostenuto, ma non troppo - Var. VI. Andante con moto
4. Six Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 4. Air ecossais: 'The Last Rose Of Summer'. Tema. Andante expressivo assai - Var. I-III
5. Six Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 5. Air ecossais: 'Chiling O'Guiry'. Tema. Allegretto spiritoso - Var. I-II - Var. III. Allegro assai
6. Six Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 6. Air ecossais: 'Paddy Whack'. Tema. Allegretto piu tosto vivace - Var. I-IV
7. Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 1. Air tirolien: 'I bin a Tiroler Bua'. Tema. Moderato - Var. I-III - Var. IV. Allegro
8. Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 2. Air ecossais: 'Bonnie Laddie, Highland Laddie'. Tema. Allegretto, quasi vivace - Var. I-III - Var. IV. Andante mosso, alla Siciliano - Allegro
9. Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 3. Volkslied aus Kleinrussland. Tema. Vivace - Var. I-IV - Var. V. Adagio sostenuto - Tempo I
10. Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: Air ecossais: 'St .Patrick's Day'. Tema. Allegretto scherzoso - Var. I - Var. II. Poco adagio - Vivace - Moderato - Tempo I
11. Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 5. Air tirolien: 'A Madel, ja a Madel'. Tema. Moderato - Var. I-II - Var. III. Maestoso - Allegro
12. Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 6. Air ecossais: 'Peggy's Daughter'. Tema. Andante comodo - Var. I-III - Var. IV. Vivace
13. Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 7. Air russe: 'Schone Minka'. Tema. Andante - Var. I-IV - Var. V. Andante moderato - Var. VI. Allegro - Adagio - Andante commodo - Poco vivace
14. Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 8. Air ecossais: 'O Mary At Thy Window Be'. Tema. Andantino quasi Allegretto - Var. I-III - Var. IV. Un poco piu mosso - Allegro assai
15. Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 9. Air ecossais: 'Oh, Thou Art The Lad Of My Heart'. Tema. Allegretto piu tosto vivace - Var. I - Var. II. Cantabile e legato - Var. III - Var. IV. Andante espressivo - Var. V. Vivace
16. Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 10. Air ecossais: 'The Highland Watch'. Tema. Spiritoso e marziale - Var. I-II - Var. III. Piu moto - Var. IV. Adagio espressivo - Var. V. Allegro
17. Duo For Two Flute In G Major: Allegro con brio
18. Duo For Two Flute In G Major: Minuetto quasi Allegretto

Customer Reviews:

The "Unknown" Beethoven..........2005-01-03

I think it would not be wrong to say that most casual listeners of classical music know Beethoven mostly by his orchestral works--the symphonies, piano concertos, violin concerto, and overtures. Those who go a little deeper might know him by the piano sonatas, violin sonatas, and string quartets; however, this misses a significant portion of his oeuvre--and a major facet of his ethos and art: specifically, the chamber works and lieder: this is the "unknown" Beethoven.

This collection is absolutely the best, finest, and most excellent presentation of Beethoven's chamber works: the Horn Sonata; the Piano-Wind Quintet; the Serenade for Flute, Violin, and Viola; the Clarinet Trio; the Septet for mixed strings & winds; and the String Quintet.

Plus, some really nice esoterica: the early piano quartets; trio for piano, flute & bassoon; pieces for mandolin & piano; and pieces for flute & piano.

All of these works fall into Beethoven's First Period; yet, they must not be considered "juvenalia": Beethoven was the greatest artist/poet who ever lived, and his genius was manifest from his teenage years.

Simply Delightful!.......2004-12-23

This is a wonderful collection of Beethoven chamber music. The recordings are intimate, the musicianship is superb...the music is timeless. The piano concerti are the real highlights here; I don't think they can be any better, and the other selections are very pleasant. If you like Beethoven chamber music (and I can't imagine NOT liking it), then this set is highly recommended. Every now and then you come across a boxed set of recordings that you can listen to over and over. This is one such set.

Brilliant if sometimes odd rhythm and tempo.......2001-01-10

This CD, part of the magnus opus of Beethoven's works committed to CD is wonderfully brilliant and evocative of the renditions of the early 1950's.

Although there are the rare rhythmic, and very rare tempo peculiarities this must remain as one of the finest renditions of Beethoven's Chamber Works. This is of course to be expected from works produced by DDG.

A highly recommended set of CDs that should have pride of place in any serious collector of Beethoven's music and these CDs have the brilliant quality associated with the plastics produced by DDG.

Average customer rating: An essential aspect of Karel Husa's oeuvre, in authoritative readings Karel Husa is THE MAN! Maestro Husa is THE MAN.

String Quartets No.2 and No.3 Manufacturer: Phoenix USA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Husa: String Quartet No. 4; Laderman: String Quartet No. 7; Powell: String Quartet 1982 Leon Kirchner: The Complete String Quartets Leon Kirchner: Duo for Violin and Piano; Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano; etc. American String Quartets, 1950-1970 Complete Crumb Edition, Vol. 6 - Echoes of Time and the River, Gnomic Variations, Four Nocturnes, Lux Aeterna ASIN: B00005YXZL Release Date: 1990-01-01

Tracks:

1. String Quartet No.2
2. String Quartet No.3
3. Evocations of Slovakia

Album Description

Karel Husa (b. 1921 in Czechoslovakia) has taught at Comell since 1954; he composed Evocations in about 1952, the Second Quartet in 1953, and the Third in 1968. In the booklet, the composer writes charming and well-deserved tributes to these players for performances heard before the recordings were made. In turn, the Fine Arts Quartet was so impressed with, and had such success playing his Second Quartet, that they commissioned the Third, which then won a Pulitzer Prize in 1969.

The Second Quartet is in three movements: Adagio-Allegro con Fuoco, Lento assai, Adagio-Allegro con brio. It has considerable rhythmic punch in the outer movements, which assume the fashionably astringent harmonies of its time: Stravinsky colored by Martinu, perhaps; but continued listening reveals no further depth of ideas nor development thereof. It is performed with an assurance born of experience, for the Fine Arts had been playing it for seven years prior to this recording. The Third Quartet has equal flash but more heart: an Allegro moderato builds to a moving coda; the Lento assai, too, has more to say than its earlier fellow; then comes a rather Bartokian scherzo, Allegro Possibile, a series of quiet but lively moments. This quartet is more soloistic than its predecessor; the first three movements feature the cello, viola, and violins respectively. All get together for the Adagio finale, which is the most expressive and satisfying music here. Evocations of Slovakia consists of three pieces: Mountain, Night, and Dance-for a lively, virtuoso clarinet with viola and cello accompaniment; they reach across the Danube to evoke Bartok as well, The Miraculous Mandarin in particular.

Customer Reviews:

An essential aspect of Karel Husa's oeuvre, in authoritative readings.......2007-02-13

Thanks to Phoenix for bringing back on CD this landmark Everest recording of Karel Husa's 2nd and 3rd string quartets by the Fine Arts Quartet, to which they added "Evocations de Slovaquie", an early piece for clarinet, viola and cello, which originally came on a Grenadilla LP with Alan Hovhaness' "Firdausi" for clarinet, harp and percusion Op. 252. The information on the CD about recording dates is unfortunately non existent. The quartets were released in 1971 and Evocations in 1977, and the CD was published in 1990.

The 2nd quartet was composed in 1953 at the behest of the French Parrenin Quartet, which later, in 1959, toured with it the United States. George Sopkin, the cellist of the Fine Arts Quartet, attended one of those concerts, liked the work, and the Fine Arts picked it up. That led to the commission given by the Fine Arts Quartet to Husa for another String Quartet, which was completed in 1968 and which, unknown from the composer, was presented by its dedicatees to the much coveted Pulitzer Prize - which it won, in 1969.

The influence of Bartok can be heard in the earlier composition, but Husa is more advanced in his compositional language and fiercer in his expression, as well as starker in the brooding second movement and the slow intro to the third. In the highly virtuosic third quartet Husa uses a wide array of daring playing techniques exploited to coloristic effects: dramatic glissandos, eerie harmonics and strings playing in their extreme registers, col legno staccatos and so forth. In the first movement the viola features predominantly, with wild solos, in the second movement it is the cello and in the third both violins; In the fourth, all instruments come together.

Evocations de Slovaquie was composed in 1951 and is instrumentally (clarinet, viola and cello) and stylistically situated somewhere between Bartok's Contrasts and Rhapsodies for violin. The Long Island Chamber Ensemble is comprised of Lawrence Sobold (clarinet), Louis Schulman (viola) and Timothy Eddy (cello). As for the quartets, they mirror in more than one way (one being, by an extraordinary coincidence, their same years of composition) those of another major contemporary composer from Central Europe: Gyorgy Ligeti, with the early one still indebted to Bartok though already highly personal, and the second breaking new grounds in contemporary string quartet language. As these, those of Husa belong to any collection of contemporary music.

Good notes, including reminiscences by Husa on the circumstances of first performances and recordings. All the interpretations are authoritative, by the composer's own avowal.

Karel Husa is THE MAN!.......2001-11-14

If you are among the many people who have never heard Husa's music, I pity you. GET WITH IT! BUY THIS CD!
Here are Husa's three best known chamber works, the second (my personal favorite) and the Pulitzer Prize winning third String Quartets, and Evocations de Slovaquie, which is also quite a trip. His music is atonal, which some people do not particularly care for, but I tell you, even if you avoid atonality like the leprosy, you will still love Karel Husa. I have taken people that don't even like Mozart to Husa concerts, and they always leave with jaws dropped.
The performances are definitely of great substance, too. The Fine Arts Quartet does justice to these rather challenging pieces, and the direction of the Long Island Chamber Ensemble definitely serves "Evocations" well too.
In conclusion, all I can say is that if you don't buy this CD, I will be hurt. I will lock myself in the bathroom and cry for three and a half hours.

Maestro Husa is THE MAN........2001-11-13

If you are among the people on earth who have never heard any music by the esteemed Karel Husa, I pity you. GET WITH IT! You definitely need to buy both this CD and a CD of Music for Prague (which is even better live, by the way). I know there are a lot of people who don't like atonality for a variety of reasons, but I've taken friends who don't even like Mozart to concerts of Husa's music, and they've all walked away with jaws dropped. Husa's music is pure fireworks, as is evidenced by the Fine Arts Quartet's electrifying perfromances of his two most renowned quartets, #'s 2 and 3. Be forewarned, though, Husa is addictive. If you buy this CD, you will probably have to buy every CD of his music you will ever find anywhere. I have had the privelige of meeting and even getting a couple of lessons with Maestro Husa, and all I can say is that there is nothing about this man that is not cool. Buy! Buy! Buy! BUY!!!!!!!

Average customer rating: First-Rate Reger Performances

Reger: The String Quartets; Clarinet Quintet Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Reger, Max | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Reger, Max | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Reger: Piano Trios Spohr: Double Quartets Schwantner: Angelfire; Beyond Autumn; September Canticle; A Sudden Rainbow Respighi: Piano Concerto / Fantasia Slava Hindemith: Complete String Quartets ASIN: B0009HL7K6 Release Date: 2005-08-09

Tracks:

1. I. Allegro Agitato
2. II. Vivace
3. III. Largo Mesto
4. IV. Prestissimo Assai
5. I. Allegro Moderato
6. II. Quasi Presto
7. III. Larghetto
8. IV. Allegro Con Grazia E Con Spirito

Tracks:

1. I. Allegro Assai E Bizarro
2. II. Andante Semplice Con Variazioni
3. III. Allegro Vivace, Con Spiritu
4. I. Allegro Agitato E Vivace
5. II. Vivace
6. III. Andante Sostenuto, Semplice Con Variazioni
7. IV. Allegro Con Spirito E Vivace

Tracks:

1. I. Allegro Espressivo
2. II. Vivace
3. I. Adagio
4. IV. Allegro Con Spirito
5. I. Moderato Ed Amabile
6. II. Vivace
7. III. Largo
8. IV. Poco Allegretto

Customer Reviews:

First-Rate Reger Performances.......2005-09-02

Deutsche Grammophon recorded this cycle of the five Reger string quartets and the clarinet quintet in the late '60s/early '70s. Inexplicably, only the clarinet quintet was released on Lp in the US. Since then, only the Leipzig Quartet (on MDG) has presented the cycle with anything like the consistent quality achieved by the Drolc Quartet. In fact, recordings of any of the Reger quartets have been few and far between, probably reflecting Reger's continued reputation as a difficult and charmless composer of turgidly contrapuntal music. Truth to tell, there are moments in each quartet that support that unfair characterization, but there are many more moments of heart-rending beauty that demonstrate Reger's late Romantic genius. Hindemith, Weill, Schoenberg, Berg and Webern all admired and learned from Reger's accomplishment, which amounts to a fusion of Wagnerian chromatic harmony with Brahmsian devotion to working in closed formal structures, particularly sonata and fugue. The first two published quartets (preceded by a student quartet that survives in manuscript) are rather obviously modelled after the two Op. 51 quartets by Brahms; Reger reaches maturity with the Third, Fourth and Fifth quartets. The Third is the most immediately attractive, containing a gorgeous theme and variations slow movement that recalls Schubert's "Death and the Maiden" Quartet. The Fourth and Fifth quartets are more formally adventurous and represent Reger's real contribution to the genre. Although Romantic in expression, their pared-back textures and transparent counterpoint clearly anticipate modernist Neo-Classic essays by Hindemith, Weill and others. Make no mistake, these final quartets are a major achievement, but all five will provide great satisfaction to any lover of chamber music. Finally, the gloriously autumnal clarinet quartet: Even Reger's sharpest critics acknowledge this final chamber composition (completed shortly before the composer's death in 1916, at age 46) to be a great and noble masterpiece, worthy to be set beside the quintets of Mozart and Brahms. It is splendidly presented by the Drolc Quartet joined by a young Karl Leister, who has gone on to record the piece at least four more times, never more beautifully than here. Anyone who remembers Deutsche Grammophon's Lps of the period already knows that the (analog) sound quality in this set is first-rate; at the asking price, the set is a steal. If pressed, I might admit a preference now and then for the Leipzig Quartet/MDG CDs. They are, however, only available singly and cost much more. All in all, this Drolc Quartet series is the happiest way to become acquainted with this wonderful music. Final word: snatch up this gem before it disappears, perhaps forever.

Average customer rating: Hidden Treasure Deeply Beautiful A SUPERB RECITAL

Debussy, Ravel: String Quartets Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Janácek: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2 ASIN: B0000013NC Release Date: 1994-02-15

Tracks:

1. String Quartet No.1 in G Minor Op.10: Anime et tres decide
2. String Quartet No.1 in G Minor Op.10: Assez vif et bien rythme
3. String Quartet No.1 in G Minor Op.10: Andantino doucement expressif
4. String Quartet No.1 in G Minor Op.10: Tres modere
5. String Quartet In F: Allegro moderato. Tres doux
6. String Quartet In F: Assez vif. Tres rythme
7. String Quartet In F: Tres lent
8. String Quartet In F: Vif et agite
9. 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]

Track Listings:

1. Compere: Missa in Nativitate Deus Noster Jesu Christe; Omnium bonorum plena
2. Concert De Danse: Lully, Rameau, Etc
3. Confessions of Isobel Gowdie/T
4. Corrette / Boismortier: Bassoon Sonatas
5. Couperin:Pièces de violes
6. Der Ferne Spiegel: Music by Women Composers for Flute & Piano
7. Domenico Mazzocchi: Sacrae Concertationes / Jacobs, Scholl
8. Dvorák: String Quartets, Vol. 3: Op.34 & 16
9. El Cancionero de la Catedral de Segovia
10. Felix Draeseke: Christus - A Mystery in an Introduction and Three Oratorios

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

From Here On In [Import]

México Barroco, Vol.2

It's a Lonesome Old Town [Import] [Limited Edition]

Music: Forbidden Lover

Lost in a Melody [Enhanced] [EP] [Import]

Menagerie [Limited Edition] [Import]

I Put Away My Idols/Kingdom in the Street

Janácek: Osud

In Full Color

En Vivo en La Arena Mexico [Live]

Mission UK - Resurrection/Greatest Hits

King George [Import]

Jazz No Jazz V.2 [Import]

Sir Arthur Bliss: Checkmate (Complete Ballet); Mêlée Fantasque

The Eddy Duchin Story: 1933-38 Original Mono Recordings