Gorgeous Playing
Patrick A Daley | Fredericton, New Brunswick | 08/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The new Vlach Quartet's series of Dvorák's music for string quartet has been a resounding success. These works, Opp. 80 and 61 are not as well-known as the American Quartet, Op. 96, but they are well worth hearing. As with the rest of the series, the sound quality is excellent.Quartet no. 8, Op. 80, is a very nice work, but is not as structurally strong. At some points, it needs some romantic interpretation, and with the Vlach Quartet, you will never know the joints are there. Their playing is beautiful and interesting throughout. Though written in 1876, op. 80 was revised in 1888, which is probably why it has the later opus number than op. 61, finished in 1881.Quartet no. 11, Op. 61, which actually appears first on the disc, is sheerly beautiful from beginnning to end. I cannot imagine how anyone could play it better than the Vlach Quartet does here. The second movement, Poco adagio e molto cantibile, is particularly beautifully done. Fast or slow, lyrical or dramatic, the Vlach Quartet always catches the mood perfectly. While the music is not as great as Dvorák's last three quartets, Op. 61 is a very fine work. This is a lovely disc, and for those interested in the repertoire, I highly recommend it."
Strong performances of wonderful music
G.D. | Norway | 04/17/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This disc further confirms that Naxos's true strength lies in the chamber repertoire, for these are impressively atmospheric and competitive readings of two very rewarding works. The eighth quartet is surprisingly rarely performed given the high quality of the musical material, and the Vlach quartet provides a committed and lively reading. The first two movements are particularly well done, full of energy and fervour, and played with an admirably ear for textural detail and transparency. The Allegro scherzando receives a rather light-hearted interpretation (but is none the worse for that) and the finale is warm and lush if perhaps a tad lacking in energy compared to the performance of the first two movements.
The eleventh quartet is also well played but perhaps a little too stilted, although there are many beautiful touches and moods to savour. But even though this release might not quite reach the top of the pile (although it comes darned close in the eighth), it is still immensely rewarding and strongly recommended. The sound quality is warm and glowingly atmospheric as well."
