Search - Alexander Glazunov :: Glazunov: String Quartets Vol. 2

Magisterial readings of some very good music

G.D. | Norway | 03/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Glazunov's ability to put color and pyrotechnics to an orchestral score is rivaled by few other composers, and this ability has certainly contributed to keeping some of his orchestral scores in the fringes of the standard repertoire. One sometimes gets the feeling, though, that beyond the orchestral brilliance there is a certain lack of substance (to be fair that is certainly not always the case). And hearing his chamber and piano works makes you realize that his orchestrational abilities sometimes may even seem to have worked against him as well - they reveal him as a very good composer indeed, and the suspicion is that his orchestrational abilities sometimes made him forego content in favor of pyrotechnics in the orchestral works. For his string quartets are really good (in particular the fourth), stirring works. The second is a rather light-hearted and cheerfully atmospheric works with a particularly fine finale. The fourth is more ambitious, with a true symphonic structure at the spine. It is an inventive, sparkling work with some truly memorable themes and twists. The late Elegy is a rather dour piece, however. The Utrecht players provide committed and sure-footed performances with real passion and a good balance between the instruments. Sound quality is excellent as well, and this is overall a release that shouldn't be missed. Very strongly recommended."