Search - George Enescu, Micha Hamel, Viotta Ensemble (Members of the Royal Concertgebouw) :: George Enescu: Octuor for Double String Quartet, Op. 7; Dixtour for Wind Instruments, Op. 14

Short and sweet review...

bonerfly | NY | 07/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Those reading this review will already know of these 2 Chamber masterpieces by the greatest Roumanian composer, conductor and Violinist who ever lived.

What you probably didn't know was, The Viotta Ensemble is made up of members (first and second chairs) of one of the greatest orchestras of the 20th and 21st Century..The World renown Royal Concertgebouw of Amsterdam.

With a combnation like this you could not go wrong and you won't.

I have owned 3 other versions of these 2 pieces (all listed at amazon) and I'm here to tell you I've just tossed them in the trash.

This performance is SUPERLATIVE, and I dare say definitive. In my humble opinion, these will NEVER be bettered.

Exhilerating, nimble and totally uplifting.

I may as well be hearing them for the first time.

The Ottava sound is SUPERB. Every note and nuance is captured with brilliant clarity and warmth.

This is the perfect Octuor and Dixtuor.

Enjoy!!!"

DEFINITIVE

Lawrence Rapchak | Whiting, IN United States | 06/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I totally agree with "ear candy's" review---these two youthful works by Enescu could not POSSIBLY be represented any better than they are in this recording.



The performances are flawless (the wind intonation in op.14 is not to be believed!). The sound is warm and full, with great presence and detail--in short, this recording makes the best possible case for these fine works, a fabulous documentation of the composer's creative gifts.



I personally feel that the String Octet is a masterpiece--and this performance reveals all of its unique power and subtle, dreamy tenderness

(check out the third movement!)



Great stuff--LOOK NO FURTHER!!"