Search - Antonin Dvorak, Jerusalem Quartet :: Dvorak: String Quartet, Op. 96 ("American"); Piano Quintet, Op. 81

Only the hard-hearted can be immune to Dvorak's music, with its endless flow of gorgeous melodies, rhythmic variety, and skilled writing that shows each instrument in a positive light. Given competent performances, the works on this disc cannot fail to please; given performances as technically proficient and in sync with Dvorak's musical idiom as the Jerusalem Quartet's, this CD virtually begs you to keep hitting the repeat button on your player. Right from the beginning of the disc--the tender violin melody at the start of the "American" Quartet--violinist Alexander Pavlovsky's lovely tone and ardent phrasing raise expectations met by the ensemble's stylish performance, vigorous rhythms, radiant soft playing, and wide dynamic range. Those qualities carry over to another late Dvorak masterpiece, the Op. 81 Piano Quintet, in which the group is joined by Stefan Vladar, whose sensitive pianism blends neatly with the Jerusalem's passionate strings. Fresh performances, excellent sound, great music add up to an enthusiastic recommendation. --Dan Davis