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Site review by Polly Nomial March 5, 2006
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Performance: Sonics (S/MC): / |
Here are the two (named) quartets that are usually grouped with the middle and late quartets but here presented logically, if not generously, as a coupling. The "Harp" quartet (Op.74) is very well played with a real sense of élan to the Pražák's presentation of the work. Whereas in the Op.18 quartets disc (Beethoven: String Quartets Op. 18 Nos. 1, 4 & 5 - Prazak Quartet) the playing is too emphatic on points of accents to an extent where they disturb the musical lines, here the balance between point making and letting the music flow is well done. In Op.95 ("Serioso"), the Pražák play, rightly, with a real sense of abandon in the opening movement and the finale in lesser hands would have been described as hectic but there is just enough control maintained to feel that the ending is euphoric. These are arguably the two finest performances from the, sadly inconsistent, complete cycle (Beethoven: The String Quartets - Prazak Quartet).
The recording is well done, with a nice amount of ambience captured - recommended as the best sample of their inconsistent cycle.
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Copyright © 2006 John Broggio and SA-CD.net
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