Search - F. Schubert :: Quartet 13/14

These two late quartets both incorporate melodies from Schubert songs and stage works, hence the nicknames. Schubert was essentially a lyrical composer--he is considered by many to be the greatest tune writer in musical history--and these works certainly have their share of gorgeous, lyrical ideas. But they are also miracles of closely reasoned form, making them, along with the late quartets of Beethoven, the culmination of the classical period in chamber music. The Prazak Quartet is yet another superb group of Czech musicians, and this recording received rave reviews on its original issue. It deserved them. --David Hurwitz