Customer Reviews

Intimate Voices

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Emerson String Quartet ("ESQ") brings elegance, grace, smoothness, flair and fire to these two string quartets, both of which are masterpieces of chamber music.

The ESQ, now playing together for over 20 years, deliver a seamless and superlative performance with a very clear sound that gives immediacy to the beautiful passages in these string quartets. This CD is just as powerful and moving as the ESQ's earlier, 1986 recording of Dvorak's American Quartet, Tchaikovsky's First Quartet, and Borodin's Second Quartet, even though these two string quartets are not nearly as well known. These two works radiate with passion, energy, beauty, and lyricism.

The Grieg string quartet has not only lyricism but urgency, depth, and intensity. In fact, this quartet, especially the first movement, is refreshingly different from what is often associated with the sound of Grieg, whose music, Debussy once stated, sounded to him like "bon bons wrapped in snow."

The thickly chordal, almost orchestral sonorities of the Grieg quartet shine in the hands of the ESQ, who make the most of the changing moods of this piece, alternating between its feelings of tension, lyricism, and spirited energy. The last movement in particular is an infectious virtuoso dance.

The sudden stops and starts of the Grieg quartet, which caused controversy and negative commentary when the work was first premiered, are dramatic, invigorating, and performed with flawless precision. The slow second movement (Romanze: Andantino) has more of the graceful lyricism that Grieg admirers will be familiar with. Yet, even in this passage, there are sudden tempo changes and a taut excitement that alternates with a sweet, dancelike melody, giving this work a sense of drama.

The Sibelius quartet has five movements and is also quite moving and powerful, ending with a passionate, fast-and-furious roller-coaster ride that is a breathtaking pleasure to listen to.

The 3:42 composition by the Danish composer, Carl Nielsen (1865 - 1931), is beautiful and interesting. It was performed at Nielsen's funeral in the Copenhagen Cathedral, 21 years after he had composed it in honor of a deceased friend. The 3-page booklet essay is detailed and informative.

I have listened to these beautiful Scandinavian gems several times and each time has been a delightful and stimulating experience. Very highly recommended. Total Playing Time = 63:41.

Edvard Grieg completed just one string quartet in 1878 leaving one other unfinished and one lost at his death. He is quoted to have aimed at "breadth, flight of imagination and, above all sonority," and the quartet is proof of his success. The quartet has an exuberant start and reminded me more of Dvorak than Grieg. The second movement is a Romanze that begins with a bucolic melody and develops into a dance-like tempo. The third movement is an Intermezzo and picks up the light and playful feel from the prior movement. The Finale is exuberant with agitated passages. The quartet is a tuneful work with some outstanding writing for the instruments.

The Andante lamentoso by Carl Nielsen was originally written for string quartet and double bass or string orchestra. However, as the double bass is used to reinforce the cello the work can be played effectively by a quartet alone, as it is here. The work is titles "At the Bier of a Young Artist" and it was written for the early death of a young painter named Oluf Hartmann; it was also played at Nielsen's own funeral. It is a very compact poignant work that is very intense.

The quartet of Jean Sibelius carries the name "Voces intimae" which serves as the album title. The quartet was written during the winter of 1908/09 - just before the Fourth Symphony. During this period Sibelius was undergoing surgeries for throat cancer which is possibly reflected in the Adagio. The quartet is in five movements, beginning with a movement that, like so much of his music, seems to express the grandeur of a northern landscape. The Vivace that follows is fleet and graceful and is followed by a somber Adagio that is the heart of the quartet. The Adagio begins quietly and slowly builds to become more agitated before retuning to a more serene, but reflective, calm. The Adagio is followed by an Allegretto characterized by a dance-like melody. The Finale begins with a graceful melody and slowly becomes faster ending at a break-neck tempo.

This is a magnificent disc beautifully recorded and played.

The Emerson String Quartet continues its fine reputation both on the concert stage and in the recording studio as evidenced in this creatively programmed music by Nordic composers. The concept is intelligent on many levels, not the least of which is the manner in which each of the three works compliments each other.

Despite the prolific output of Sibelius he wrote only one string quartet and for many the work is too dark and difficult to call for further hearings. But in the capable hands of the Emerson Quartet the Sibelius is a haunting, moody, intensely absorbing work. In contrast to the Sibelius the, again, sole string quartet by Edvard Grieg is delicately rewarding, rich with well-developed melodic lines, and endlessly creative in moods and movements. The brief work by Carl Nielsen is far different from his symphonies and tone poems: this is a piece, readily accessible, with as penultimate a Romantic style as anything written in this period.

The inner communication among the Emerson players is as sensitive as we are likely to hear. They make these relatively unknown works seem like standard repertoire, so assured are their performances. This is a CD of 'intimate voices' by composers well known in other areas of composition. It is a true find! Grady Harp, August 06

Excellent recording, I have been a fan of this group, this an outstanding recording, not a lot String Quartets have recorded this Grieg String Quartet, but this recording is perfect and breathtaking. The Sibleius Intimate Voices is amazing too. This recording is highly recomended if you are a Grieg or Sibelius fan or just love Chamber Music ..just Listen and Enjoy!!!

This is a wonderfully enjoyable disc---all the more so, since it features music with which casual classical music listeners may not be familiar. The Grieg Quartet is tuneful and very much in the spirit of the Brahms string quartets. The Sibelius is much subtler music than I'm used to hearing from the Finnish master: one could say "more intimate", but since his quartet is sub-titled "Intimate Voices" that evaluation becomes somewhat superfluous. The Nielsen was too shot to make much of an impression on me, and I beleive that the inclusion of one of Nielsen's stringquartets (he wrote 4) would have balanced the disc better: 3 great Nordic masters---3 string quartets. A very fine disc (and well deserving of its recent Grammy award).

The classical Grammy Award carries prestige (those for other genres are moot) and performances by the Emerson String Quartet have earned 6 such honors (the albums of two earned additional awards). Among them is Intimate Voices, the string quartets of Sibelius and Grieg. The members of the group are indeed supurb musicians (their Shostakovich quartets...another winner...are awesome) and the sound engineering of this recording is also excellent. String quartets through the ages have a unique sound with complex interactive play; they present unique challenges to the composer. Sibelius and Grieg wrote only one each, and while Nieilsen wrote four, only his mature last quartet has lasting merit. The Scandinavian feel is pronounced in these passionate, melodious, yet serious works, with folk tunes emerging in the Grieg and the Sibelius quartet reflective of his symphonies. Intimate Voices is a recording to own and experience.

Picked this up as it was a Grammy Winner and was not disappointed. You don't normally hear these quartets on the radio or otherwise. There is good musical value in these pieces and the rendition is good.

Certainly worth considering for your collection.

Mr. Levine is sorely mistaken in the above review that Sibelius only wrote one string quartet. He wrote many, as can be discovered by a simple search on Amazon.
As for the music, this disc is among my favorites. The Grieg is exciting but doesn't reward multiple listenings as does the rest of the album. The Sibelius, in particular, is full of beauty and complexity to be uncovered with each revisitation. The movements are united in subtle ways that take familiarity to recognize. For instance, the close relationship between the main themes of the 3rd and 1st movements. Gorgeous.

This music is incredible. It's both invigorating and relaxing, powerful and calm. A great set of pieces to add to any collection, both for the music itself and its performance.

The quartet has been together for a long time, so their music is really really special. The most amazing sound I've ever heard was David Finckel's cello chords among a group of students.

I'd love a poster of the cover art too!!