Search - F. Schubert :: Quartet String 13/14

The Ethos of Mitteleuropa...

Sébastien Melmoth | Hôtel d'Alsace, PARIS | 04/08/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

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With these realizations the Pragers show once again the intellectual and artistic sophistication of those echt-Mitteleuropeans, the Czechs.



Since their revolutionary modernization in the late-19th Century, the Nipponese have held a fine appreciation of the best of Western aesthetics and artists; and in the 1970s, the Czech label Supraphon had an accord with Japanese label Denon whereby the Pragers could record in Japan.

These digital recordings were made in mid-1970s in Tokyo with close-to-middle- range miking.



The Pragers' distinctive characteristics of piquant string timbre with markedly articulated instrumental voicing are abundantly on display here wherein the disparate tessituras of the violins, viola, and cello are saliently highlighted: they don't interrupt each other, but maintain a cloisonné-like disposition.



Evident too is the Pragers' insightful phraseology which combines not only a firm grasp of Schubert's larger architectonics but in addition a Braille-like apprehension of the bas-relief aspect of the smallest structures of Schubert's surface patina.

This is especially appreciable in the d-minor Quartet which otherwise can betimes become hectoring: the Pragers deftly allay excessive angst with cleverly accented divertissements along the way.



Likewise they achieve a refreshing lucidity in the philosophically ambiguous a-minor Quartet--which may sometimes be predisposed towards hebetude.

The Pragers avoid absolute catatonia with their well-considered astringency.



Enthusiasts seeking thoughtful realizations of Schubert's major works could scarcely go wrong with this splendid brace of readings.



Dainty Burne-Jones cover-art doubleplus bonus.



See too:

Borodin & Prokofiev: 2 String Quartets

Brahms: The 3 String Quartets 2 Cd Box Set (Denon).

Cesar Franck String Quartet in D Major; Prague Quartet

Dvorák: The String Quartets

Franz Schubert: Der Tod und das Mädchen; Rosamunde

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