Dvorak: Works for String Quartet - Cypresses, Movement in F, Two Waltzes, Gavotte

Antonin Dvorak (Composer), Vlach Quartet Prague (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Vlach Quartet Prague
• Composer: Antonin Dvorak
• Audio CD (July 28, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B000009OLZ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,119 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #4 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Gavottes

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Cypresses was originally a song cycle. Dvorák later transcribed 12 of the 18 songs for string quartet. The result is as purely lyrical, undemanding, and lovely as anything in the chamber music literature. In a way it's Chamber Music Lite, with no complex development to follow, just a constant flow of melody. But who can complain when the melodies are as beautiful as these? The Quartet Movement--which does have development--is also lyrical, and it's so effective that one wonders why the composer never finished the Quartet he began. The Waltzes and Gavotte (for three violins) complete a consistently songful program, all of it played in a most beautiful, idiomatic style by the fine Czech ensemble. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Authentic Czech flavors - with some downside, April 19, 2006

By 

Alan Lekan (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dvorak: Works for String Quartet - Cypresses, Movement in F, Two Waltzes, Gavotte (Audio CD)

The Vlach Quartet's Naxos recordings of Dvorak's abundant string quartets are one of the success stories of that budget label. Their nine or so volumes helped to add some fresh recordings to a sparse catalog. And, along with the legendary Prague Quartet's complete works on DG, the Vlach series can be wholeheartedly recommended for their idiomatic Czech flavors, crisp ensemble and realistic Naxos sound quality.

Like the main editoral review stated, these works are attractive, well-conceived works for string quartet that flow unincumbered with warm tones and gentle melodies. However, one thing to my ears at least that was less attractive and more distracting was the lead violinist's constant, sharp and fast vibrato that stood out too much from the rest of the quartet. This plus the overall, tonal (timbre) quality of the first violin just did not blend into the quartet's overall harmonies but stuck out needlessly. At first, I thought it was just me until I read a simimlar observation in The Third Ear Guide to Classical Music: "Their performances in general have a fluttery vibrato and a somewhat hesitant phrasing that I find less compelling than the Prague's more gutsy approach." But, like different voices in an opera, the listener will gravitate towards certain sounds and not others, so such nuances are largely personal preference. Personally, its one of the least attractive string sounds on any classical CD I own of 500 or so.

That said, my pick would lean towards the Prague's complete cycle - not the least of the reasons being they contain the whole of Dvorak's quartets. Barring perhaps the earliest ones that tend to ramble on, Dvorak's quartet as a whole are of high quality and worthy of exploration. But, if you are attracted to the sound of the first few Cypress movements here, then this recording should provide a stream of gently flowing delights. Dvorak's Piano Trios and Piano Quartets are also excellent compositions that deserve to be heard.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful light music, performed with spirit and brilliance, April 22, 2009

By 

G.D. (Norway) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dvorak: Works for String Quartet - Cypresses, Movement in F, Two Waltzes, Gavotte (Audio CD)

Of the 18 songs that comprise the song cycle Cypresses, Dvorak transcribe 12 for string quartet. The arrangement is pure beauty, even more atmospherically wistful and poetical than the originals. It is by no means very profound music, but extremely attractive and melodically highly memorable. The quartet movement, on the other hand, is quite impressive, making one regret the fact that Dvorak never worked a complete work out of it. The Waltzes and Gavotte are slighter but worth a listen, at least.

And the Vlach quartet conjures up real color and spirit in this music, drawing out every shade and reflection in consistently refined performances. Perhaps the sound they procuce is, as other reviewers have observed, slightly unbalanced at times, but these are still overall very recommendable versions, especially in the fine, well-perspectived sound they get here. Overall a very welcome release.