Search - George Enescu, Quatuor Ad Libitum :: Enescu: String Quartets 1 & 2

Good, not great

03/21/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The prize-winning Romanian Ad Libitum Quartet has taken on the task of bringing George Enescu's 1st 2 string quartets into the arena. I'm not sure how many times this modern music (Enescu lived from 1881 to 1955, thereby making it a trifle modern) has been recorded before, but chances are the previous recordings would have a hard time living up to the color and texture which these Romanians add. Himself a Romanian, Enescu is well-regarded as the foremost composer/violinist of his country. While the quartets of Mozart and other 18th century tunesmiths may be more easily whistled, the dramatic contrasts that come about in these 73 minutes are full of rising and falling movements within movements. All you need do is turn the volume up high enough."