Search - Luigi Boccherini, Boccherini Quartet :: Boccherini: Trio, Quartet & 2 Quintets

Wish I'd Been There and Then!

Giordano Bruno | Wherever I am, I am. | 05/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Boccherini (1743-1805) wrote many of his 100+ string quintets for his own pleasure of playing them with the Font family - a father and three sons - gifted local gentry whom he met while in the service of the Spanish royal family, living in Avila. Boccherini himself played the second cello parts, to which he assigned most of the virtuosity. These practical matters of "music for use" are significant in the special qualities of Boccherini's chamber music - the dark and thoughtful tinge to what otherwise is gloroius light-hearted musical sport.



This performance captures the light-and-shadow musical ambience of a playing session with the Font family as piquantly as a deft pencil sketch. Anner Bylsma, the foremost vituoso of the Baroque cello in our times, now in his seventies, plays Boccherini's line with four young "proteges" - three Japanese and one Dutch. If the Fonts played anywhere near as well, then evenings in Avila were balmy indeed!



Bylsma plays with intense subtlety and expressiveness. Always! But especially in the Quintet op.39 in F major, which was in fact written for the usual quartet plus contrabass instead of cello. That quintet has also been recorded brilliantly by Ensemble 415. It's an interesting comparison; Ensemble 415 plays the piece more brightly and precisely, while Bylsma plays with richer tone and more fluid phrasing. Bylsma's performance of Boccherini's cello concerti, on another CD, compares with Tim Hugh's recording of the concerti in the same vein - Hugh is cleaner and full of sparkle, but Bylsma is riper in interpretation and full of sonority.



The foursome who call themselves the Boccherini Quartet earn the right to their name with their agile and limpid performances of the trio and quartet. All in all, this is a superb CD."

Mostly compelling

Frank Ettenberg | Wien, Austria | 11/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Profoundly personal selection from the Boccherini chamber music literature.

The depth and breadth of this composer is fully and conscietiously expounded by the Boccherini Qtt led by Anner Biljsma. Perhaps the music's complexity makes it a rather demanding listen for the uninitiated or unconvinced. In due time, this recording should move you to look further into the meaning of the composer's accomplishment. The playing is very emotional and underlines the mercurial and sometimes melancholy aspects of the music. Enthusiastically recommended!"

The String Trio alone is worth the price of the album!

N. Cook | 06/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is a juicy slice of Boccherini's smaller works - two quintets, a quartet and a trio. Each piece here is a splendid one, showing Boccherini to be a very thoughtful, talented and outright fun composer.



The opening phrases of the first work, a two-movement cello quintet, catch you a bit off-guard as you may expect such a "short" work to jump right in and waste no time. However, Boccherini uses his cello to slowly spin a somber, "dusky" introduction to this work, though it soon gives way to a festive, jumping phrase which lasts just long enough to be appreciated before returning to the slower, more reflective side of things. This wonderful contrasting of moods is par for the course in Boccherini's work as is virtuoso playing on the first cello which has some very beautiful and complex runs.



When considering the quartet, it should be remembered that Boccherini wrote about 90 string quartets - he was an extremely important contributor to this form of music, not to mention the second composer in history to actually write one (Haydn was first). The quartet played here is a very nice one whose opening Allegro uses the aforementioned contrast of moods very effectively, sort of like an emotional rollercoaster. The Grave is a starkly forlorn piece, though it has thin rays of sunshine that momentarily peek through the rain clouds. Perhaps it is one of Boccherini's most beautiful movements. The following Allegro couldn't be more different - it is a romping joyride of excitement! The Boccherini quartet does a great job here but I prefer the recording by the Quartetto Borciani on Naxos as it is cleaner and clearer.



Now we come to the Trio. Its opening Allegro sets a serious mood right off the bat (C minor). Later on, the cello, which "should" support the baseline, runs all around taking the lead and shooting up higher than the violin and viola! As Boccherini was one of the first virtuoso cellists he must have delighted in turning things upside down in favor of his instrument. There is virtuosic complexity here that makes for a very intriguing listen. After all of that you may want to calm down and the following Adagio lets you, though it still retains a serious air. It then leads without a break into one of the most delightful Minuettes I have ever heard. Though engaging and courtly, it is so light and completely carefree as to be enchanting like a rare butterfly gliding on the breeze, then flapping its wings only to glide again. Though Boccherini is famous for his "Menuet Celebre," I think it pales in comparison to this one. Remember the "contrast" idea I talked about? The final Prestissimo takes off from its beginning bars with a nervous frenzy that makes you forget all about the Minuetto. In all an absolutely superb work!



The last offering on this disk puzzles me a bit. It's a double bass quintet though it is here played with a cello sitting in for the bass. This really sacrifices some of the sound. It is very well-played and does just fine as a cello quintet, but Ensemble 415 gave it its due as a genuine bass quintet and the results are fabulous so look that one up. Here the best is the Adagio - a spellbinding moment if ever there was one. It is very similar in feel to the Largo from Vivaldi's "Winter." The whole is summed up with a very energetic Allegro that is bound to give unexperienced players carpal-tunnel syndrome. Whew!



I have my issues with the cello substituting for a bass and prefer the aforementioned recording of the quartet to the one here, but minus these few "rathers," this disk it is a great collection and is recommended!"