4.0 out of 5 stars
Passionate, Virtuosic Performances in a Competitive Field, November 23, 2011
This review is from: Dvorak: String Quartet, Op. 96 ("American"); Piano Quintet, Op. 81 (Audio CD)
Four stars and a half. These performances are of a very high standard in a fine recording of a pair of Dvorak chamber music masterpieces. The disc has been rated highly by leading critics, including by the venerable James North in Fanfare, one of that publication's truly perceptive and reliable reviewers, for bringing new life to these warhorses in glowing sound. On playing the disc my reaction was how impressive the playing and passion, in beautiful sound, and I was and remain quite happy with the purchase. (I also just bought the Jerusalem's recording of the "Death and the Maiden" Quartet of Schubert, a terrific rendition.)
After seven or eight hearings I would not describe these as the best recorded performances ever. Preferable to me in the Piano Quintet op 81 are a 1960s effort of Peter Serkin and Alexander Schneider with a pick up ensemble on Vanguard (costly now) and a concert performance of 1982 by Sviatoslav Richter/Borodin Qt, now on DGG. Neither of those matches the sonic immediacy of the Jerusalem but both have more than merely acceptable sound. The pianist drives the work and Peter Serkin and Richter are just more inspired than Stefan Vladar who is excellent in every way and has better sound.
As much as I like the Jerusalem's brio and power in the op 96 "American" quartet, it is surpassed by the utterly haunting and infectious Pavel Haas Quartet (PHQ) performance released by Supraphone this year, which was the Gramophone's Recording of the year. I rarely agree with Gramophone superlatives but they got it right this year. The PHQ is unbelievably eloquent in expressing Dvorak's Czech idiom and projects more facets of this gem and the sheer joyousness of Dvorak at his best. In the PHQ version the emotions are less turbulent but deeper and more subtle. Over repeated listenings the Jerusalem's unbridled approach becomes a bit overbearing and even the fine sound starts to reveal a bit of treble glare. Go for the Pavel Haas, but if you can afford another and like me wanted this particular coupling, this one makes for fascinating comparison.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
