One of the Most Beautiful Chamber Music Recordings
Patrick A Daley | Fredericton, New Brunswick | 08/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The series of recordings of Dvorák's chamber music by the Vlach Quartet of Prague has been outstanding. Not only are the performances first class but the recording quality is excellent. This recording of Quartets nos. 10 and 14 has to be the cream of them all. From the very first rocking notes of no. 10, op 51, it is evident this is going to be a world class performance. The opening Allegro ma non troppo is unforgettable, as the previous reviewer remarked. The richness of the sound, and the range of the interpretation from delicate to dramatic, are remarkable. The second movement, the Dumka, is done to perfection. The Andante relaxed and sensuous. The generally lively last movement has many varied moods, from lyrical to rough and tumble. It's a most wonderful performance in every way, an absolute delight. No. 14, Op. 105 starts off as an adagio, but shortly reaches the main allegro theme, very memorably performed. The molto vivace, which at times is quite by slow and lyrical, is nicley pointed. The lento is exceedingly beautiful, played with great feeling. The final allegro is given a nice lilt, alternating with a fine lyricism. This is a really outstanding playing, most enjoyable.All in all, this is simply one of the finest chamber music recordings I have ever heard."
Doesn't get much better
Mr JB | Karlskrona Sweden | 06/18/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of the Naxos-recordings where you won't have to worry about the quality. It's first class playing as well as good sound. The Vlach Quartet Prague offers great nerve and intensity as well as beauty to both of these lovely quartets, not beaten by any other recording, although there are others that are just as good (listen to the DG Dvorak-series for example). But at this price it's unbeaten. The Vlach quartet here reminds you that Dvorak was one of the greatest string-composers of all time. The first allegro of quartet no. 10 will stay on your mind for a long time. Buy it!"
Very fine performances
G.D. | Norway | 04/26/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The op. 51 quartet stems from Dvorak's middle years, and is a near-masterpiece, with a strongly poignant and colorful opening allegro ma non troppo, an exciting Dumka, a lovely serene Andante and an extremely inventive, atmospherically varied last movement of great distinction. The Vlach quartet plays this one to perfection and with the ability to emphasize the drama, the nuances in color and temperature and keep a firm grasp on the overarching structure; only intermittently are the balance between the instruments a little off (the first violin sometimes sounds like it is going off on its own, but that might to a certain extent be a consequence of the otherwise well-balanced recorded sound).
The A flat major is indisputably a masterpiece, however. The first movement with its almost intensely wistful introduction leads on to a charming, melodic material of typical Slavonic character, and the way this interacts with the superb second subject truly displays Dvorak's contrapuntal mastery - the themes are interworked to a remarkably brilliant effect. The second movement is a sprightly atmospheric furiant with a trio section again drawing on ideas suggested in the slow introduction to the first movement. The slow movement, with its masterly main theme, is as fine as any Dvorak wrote, but with harmonic subtleties that gives it a rather striking character of its own. The finale again shows Dvorak as the unfailingly inventive and inspired composer he was. And the Vlach quartet again provides very fine advocacy, capturing the varied atmospheres and moods and keeping the music flowing. I might, in the end, have heard more characteristic performances (from the Prague and even the Alban Berg), but I don't think anyone following this series will be in any way disappointed. Sound quality is outstanding."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1
