Customer Reviews

Britten: String Quartets, Vol.2

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This release received a lot of critical acclaim when it came out, and rarely has that been more well deserved. It starts out with the chamber version of the Simple Symphony which is based on tunes the composer wrote when he was a child, and the popularity of which still somewhat eludes my understanding. But there is no denying that the Maggini's playing is impeccable, and I cannot conceive of a more convincing case being made for this charming but lightweight work (the sarabande is delightful, though). The early and forward-looking Quartettino is, on the other hand, a very interesting rarity.

But there is no doubt what the centerpiece is here: Britten's third string quartet is a masterpiece, too rarely heard but worthy of comparison with more or less anything. It has an expressive spectrum which few other string quartets can match, from desolation and bliss to fierce rage; everything so masterly put together and so endlessly fascinating (despite the surprising economy of the writing). And the performance by the Maggini Quartet is almost unnervingly assured in the face of the considerable technical challenges. It is a performance of intelligence and rapt beauty, of light and shade and completely sure-handed handling of the constant changes of mood and atmosphere. Urgently recommended.

these are splendid performances, warmly and crisply recorded, of some of britten's most inspired chamber pieces. i'm a huge fan of britten's second quartet and particular about how it should be played: the maggini do a wonderful job, combining a crackling technique with expansive lyricism, perfect phrasing, and a robust, ecstatic fire when the music calls for it. tempos seem just right in every movement. this disc and its companion include britten's three quartets with his "3 divertimenti" and "simple symphony" in quartet scoring. both discs are highly recommended.