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Debussy: String Quartet, Ravel: String Quartet
Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Quartetto Italiano
Debussy: String Quartet, Ravel: String Quartet
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (11) - Disc #1

The Philips 50 series here revives one of the classics of the LP era, the Quartetto Italiano's splendid pairing of the two masterpieces of the French string quartet idiom. The Quartetto Italiano was known for its rich, cel...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Quartetto Italiano
Title: Debussy: String Quartet, Ravel: String Quartet
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: EMI Classics
Release Date: 3/12/2002
Album Type: Original recording remastered
Genre: Classical
Styles: Chamber Music, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830)
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 724357479226

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The Philips 50 series here revives one of the classics of the LP era, the Quartetto Italiano's splendid pairing of the two masterpieces of the French string quartet idiom. The Quartetto Italiano was known for its rich, cello-based sound, technical perfection, and probing readings. Those qualities are much in evidence here. They differentiate between the two composers, bringing structural clarity to their readings. In the Debussy, for example, we are more aware than usual of his varied use of the opening theme throughout the work. Both pieces feature delectable pizzicato passages, here done with accuracy and panache. Recorded in 1965, the sound is as full-bodied and vibrant as ever. Despite the many pairings of these quartets, this one is still among the very best. --Dan Davis

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CD Reviews

Better than the one on Philips 50
Philippe Stephenson | Canada | 03/20/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Contrary to what is indicated in the amazon.com review posted above, this is not the Philips 50 re-issue of this quartet's later recording of the Debussy and Ravel, which is very fine. Instead, it seems to be the EMI re-issue of an earlier mono recording. The sound, needless to say, is not as good on this recording. Still, this is the better recording, as the performances flow more naturally - they're less deliberate, by a hair. If higher-quality sound is a must, the Alban Berg Quartet's performances of these pieces are also magnificient."