Even though German-born composer Felix Mendelssohn began his musical education on the piano, some of his most brilliant compositions were written for strings. Many believe his inclination toward strings was largely due to the fact that he studied Beethoven's quartets during his teenage years in Berlin. Though some of Mendelssohn's string quartets show evidence of this influence, his string quintets have been said to be a clearer representation of "Mendelssohnian" music at its best.
On this album, the L'Archibudelli quartet paints a telling portrait of Mendelssohn's spontaneous temperament, as every instrument reflects the individualistic style Mendelssohn was known for. During the sprightly Quintet for Strings no 1, the violins and violas mingle nonchalantly, playing their parts as if every other note or short phrase was added on a whim.
Despite the free-spirited nature of the music, the members of the L'Archibudelli quintet are remarkably sensitive to changes in the music's timbre, as every player adjusts immediately every time there is an unexpected crescendo or subito piano. Though the Quintet for Strings No. 2 starts off with a little more conviction than the first, it possesses the same quality of melodic and harmonic creativity. With such a keen adaption of the composer's style, listeners may be led to think they are listening to Mendelssohn's exact sentiments instead of just a well-played recording of his music.