Search - Shanghai Quartet :: Mozart: String Quartet Nos. 22 & 23

Wonderful Quartet Playing, Fabulous Sound

T. Beers | Arlington, Virginia United States | 01/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have a very different take on this disc than that of the other reviewer, so different I wonder that we have listened to the same disc. First of all, the recorded sound, as I hear it, is first-rate: the CD delivers a beautifully focused esemble, but with a welcome sense of space around the individual players, and with each instrument's colors registering in a way that sounds downright gorgeous. ...As for the performances, I find them quite wonderful. I hear fabulous ensemble playing and strikingly interesting choices about voicing and coloration (even judicious use of a little portamento now and then!) and an appropriate use of vibrato. All of this is accomplished in the context of a particular style of quartet playing. Of course that style has more in common with the old Budapest Quartet than with the style employed by the vibrato-free preferences of today's "ancient instruments" crowd. But if you think that Mozart's music is rich enough to support playing this expressive, you'll really love this disc. The Shanghai are commonly conceded to be in the Budapest Quartet's league by people old enough to have heard those wonderful old Russians 'live.' I am not, but what I do hear from the Shanghai certainly compares favorably with many of the Budapest's recordings (which I have heard). The liner notes promise more Mozart from the Shanghai. I certainly hope so!"

MOZART DEBACLE?

Classicalnovice | New York City | 03/03/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"As a forum for musical discussion, I think all points of view relevant, whether I agree with them or not. It so happens that I have heard the Shanghai ensemble play in recital and on CD, and I must admit that these Mozart performances do not do them justice. Consequently, I think that Mr. Sobel has a valid argument. What I cannot accept in intelligent discourse is the belittling and rudeness of reviewers, such as Mr. Schneider, who feel their assessment of favorite music, composers or artists has been assailed. This kind of approach simply does not fly.







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