Naxos
Schubert: Complete String Quartets Vol 6 / Kodály Quartet
$19.99
Only 2 left
Details
- Composer
- SCHUBERT
- Artist
- KODALY QUARTET
- Format
- CD
- Label
- Naxos
- Released
- Jun 21, 2005
- Catalog #
- 8557125
- UPC
- 747313212521
About
The Kodály Quartet completes its Schubert cycle with this imposing performance of his final work in the genre. Quartet No. 15 often has been likened to the music of Bruckner, and many ensembles have followed this notion with symphonic-styled performances. The Kodály takes an opposite tack, presenting the work as an outgrowth of late Beethoven informed by Schubert's lyrical sensibility. The result is a classically oriented performance with relatively quick pacing married to deft, vibrant phrasing.
The first movement especially gains from this approach, here sounding more incisive than the slower, meditative readings by the Italiano and Juilliard quartets. In fact, in terms of tempo the Kodály is closest to the Alban Berg Quartet--though that ensemble's EMI performance, with its reverberant recording, offers an expansive sonic environment that is outside the realm of chamber music. With the Kodály you are definitely aware of four people playing four instruments, thanks to Naxos' intimate (though somewhat bass-heavy) recording perspective.
The first movement's energetic pulse informs the scherzo and (to a lesser degree) the finale, while the Andante flows at a perfectly judged walking pace. But tempo is only part of the story, as the Kodály's rhythmic precision gives the music a sense of sizzling immediacy, while the careful exposition of Schubert's beautiful themes exudes Old World romanticism. In all, it's a masterful performance, certainly different from the grand statements of the Alban Berg or Verdi Quartet, but attractive and insightful enough to intrigue newcomers to this work as surely as it delights veterans. This, plus the ensemble's lively reading of Schubert's Five German Dances, makes this a disc a worthy choice.
--Victor Carr Jr, ClassicsToday.com
The first movement especially gains from this approach, here sounding more incisive than the slower, meditative readings by the Italiano and Juilliard quartets. In fact, in terms of tempo the Kodály is closest to the Alban Berg Quartet--though that ensemble's EMI performance, with its reverberant recording, offers an expansive sonic environment that is outside the realm of chamber music. With the Kodály you are definitely aware of four people playing four instruments, thanks to Naxos' intimate (though somewhat bass-heavy) recording perspective.
The first movement's energetic pulse informs the scherzo and (to a lesser degree) the finale, while the Andante flows at a perfectly judged walking pace. But tempo is only part of the story, as the Kodály's rhythmic precision gives the music a sense of sizzling immediacy, while the careful exposition of Schubert's beautiful themes exudes Old World romanticism. In all, it's a masterful performance, certainly different from the grand statements of the Alban Berg or Verdi Quartet, but attractive and insightful enough to intrigue newcomers to this work as surely as it delights veterans. This, plus the ensemble's lively reading of Schubert's Five German Dances, makes this a disc a worthy choice.
--Victor Carr Jr, ClassicsToday.com
Tracklist 9 tracks
-
1 I. Allegro molto moderato 14:47
- Track
- 1
- Title
- I. Allegro molto moderato
- Duration
- 14:47
- Composer
- Franz Schubert
- Ensemble
- Kodály Quartet
-
2 II. Andante un poco moto 13:07
- Track
- 2
- Title
- II. Andante un poco moto
- Duration
- 13:07
- Composer
- Franz Schubert
- Ensemble
- Kodály Quartet
-
3 III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace 07:03
- Track
- 3
- Title
- III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace
- Duration
- 07:03
- Composer
- Franz Schubert
- Ensemble
- Kodály Quartet
-
4 IV. Allegro assai 10:13
- Track
- 4
- Title
- IV. Allegro assai
- Duration
- 10:13
- Composer
- Franz Schubert
- Ensemble
- Kodály Quartet
-
5 No. 1 in C Major 03:11
- Track
- 5
- Title
- No. 1 in C Major
- Duration
- 03:11
- Composer
- Franz Schubert
- Ensemble
- Kodály Quartet
-
6 No. 2 in G Major 03:23
- Track
- 6
- Title
- No. 2 in G Major
- Duration
- 03:23
- Composer
- Franz Schubert
- Ensemble
- Kodály Quartet
-
7 No. 3 in D Major 01:55
- Track
- 7
- Title
- No. 3 in D Major
- Duration
- 01:55
- Composer
- Franz Schubert
- Ensemble
- Kodály Quartet
-
8 No. 4 in F Major 00:53
- Track
- 8
- Title
- No. 4 in F Major
- Duration
- 00:53
- Composer
- Franz Schubert
- Ensemble
- Kodály Quartet
-
9 No. 5 in C Major 05:05
- Track
- 9
- Title
- No. 5 in C Major
- Duration
- 05:05
- Composer
- Franz Schubert
- Ensemble
- Kodály Quartet