Search - E.J. Moeran, Maggini Quartet :: Moeran: String Quartets

MOERAN THE MERRIER!

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 06/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard to imagine that these pieces have fairly languished unheard--- at least on American shores. A shame... until now. Those familiar with Moeran's contemporary, Frank Bridge, will no doubt spot his similar and subtle use of the British folk idiom throughout these works.



The Eb Quartet is an early two movement work beautifully wrought and flavored by a very tangible English countryside. Delightful!



The A Minor Quartet is a three movement affair that shows Moeran's remarkable compositional growth: he takes his innately pastoral writing to broader and deeper places. The second movement Andante is especially touching. (Amazing that this music was written in 1921 and, yet, its dominant characteristic retains a penchant for the romantic--- certainly Elgar was more "modern" at this time, interestingly enough.)



The String Trio in G of 1931, in five movements, is an inventive, melodious and utterly delightful work. Again, special mention should be made of the beguiling Adagio... and the Andante grazioso finale.



More well known for his orchestral works, we should thank Naxos for bringing these lovely chamber pieces to CD, in such fine performances by the Maggini Quartet and in a full, warm sound.



[Running time: 59:23]"

à découvrir...

Ron Roy | Canada | 07/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Voici un autre compositeur anglais qui gagne à être découvert.

vous découvrirez le côté un peu pastoral de l'époque.

Une belle acquisition à bas prix."