Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.