Search - Antonin Dvorak, Stamitz Quartet, Jan Peruska :: Dvorák: Complete String Quartets (Box Set)

Excellent budget set

Tom Poore | South Euclid, OH | 11/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"String quartets are the aristocrat of classical music. This is the genre in which composers often do their best work. Oddly, Dvorák seldom gets his due as a quartet composer. Other than his oft-performed "American" Quartet, his other quartets tend to go unheard. This is a shame, as Dvorák was an excellent craftsman, and his gift for melody runs throughout his quartets.



Since one might balk at paying a lot for a complete set of Dvorák's quartets, a good budget set is a good way to start. This set by the Stamitz Quartet fills the bill. The playing is warm and affectionate, and the sound is fine. The program notes are a bit quaint, obviously written by someone not a native English speaker. An example: "Since then the Stamitz Quartet has been one of the most sought after and internationally successful quartets, which also deserved well of the Czech music and is predestinated for an integral recording of this literature." But don't let this put you off. The playing is what counts, and here the Stamitz Quartet shines."

Absolutely marvelous!

Scott E. Peterman | Oneida, NY USA | 08/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great performances; great sound; great price. The best set of Dvorak's string quartets at any price. It just doesn't get any better than this.

"

Background on Stamitz

J. A. Van Sant | 02/26/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this playing - no compromise of quality for the awesome price. Here is a nice note from AllMusic:



Within a year or so of its 1985 founding, the Stamic Quartet established itself as one of the leading Czech string quartets of its time. Its victory in 1986 at the Salzburg-based National Broadcasting Union Competition catapulted them into the limelight, the players then launching their international careers with critically acclaimed tours across Europe and the Americas. The group is best known for its Czech repertory, especially the quartets of Dvorák and Martinu. Indeed, it has performed and recorded all 14 of Dvorák's quartets, as well as the seven by Martinu. The group has also played much other Czech music, including works by Smetana, Janácek, Klusak, and Hába. But the repertory is hardly limited to Czech fare, taking in a whole range of works by Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Verdi, Borodin, Ravel, Hindemith, Britten, and little known modern composers like Jirí Teml, Ivan Kurz, Maximo Pujol, and Carlos Guastavino. Its recordings are available on a range of labels, including Bayer Records, Supraphon, ASV, Capriccio, and Brilliant Classics.



The Stamic (or Stamitz) Quartet was collectively formed in 1985 by Bohuslav Matousek (first violin), Josef Kekula (second violin), Jan Peruska (viola), and Vladimír Leixner (cello). All but Peruska were one-time members of the Dolezal Quartet. Over the years there have been several changes in the personnel of the Stamic players: Matousek, the leader of the group in its early years, departed in 1995 and was replaced by Vitezslav Cernoch. In 2001 Cernoch left and was replaced by Jindrich Pazdera. Leixner was the only other original member to depart; his replacement was Petr Hejny, who joined the ensemble in 2007.



Despite the changes in personnel, critics have generally agreed that the Stamic Quartet's colorful sonic character and vital spirit have been a constant in its 2,000-plus performances and numerous recordings.



Throughout the 1990s the ensemble grew in international stature as it began to take on ambitious recording projects, notably the aforementioned quartets of Dvorák and Martinu. Both these cycles drew lavish accolades from critics across the globe and are still available on the Bayer Records label.



In 2000 the Stamic Quartet took on duties as organizers of the Prague-based EuroArt International Music Festival, an event where the quartet serves as resident ensemble. Among the Stamic Quartet's more important later recordings is the 2007 four-disc set on Bayer of the 16 quartets and other chamber works of Alois Hába.



"