Customer Reviews

Mendelssohn: String Quartets Vol.2

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I cannot say I am a huge fan of too many Naxos recordings, but the Aurora String Quartet series of quartets by the great child-prodigy composer Felix Mendelssohn is certainly a star. The lead Amazon reviewer summarized it well - superb music, beautiful tonality and passionately played and excellent sound dynamics. This is fine, deeply satisfying quartet playing of very well-written compositions. Even the earliest work (Op. 12) is wonderous in its conception. In some ways, their playing reminds me of the great Alban Berg Quartet for its refined sensibilities. If you are already familiar with the string quartets of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, by all means do not neglect these gems from the same era. Suggest starting with Vol. 1 then Vol. 2 and finally Vol. 3. 5 stars on all levels.

I have owned the three Naxos recordings of the Mendelssohn quartets by the Aurora Quartet for a number of years and strongly recommend each one of them. This one may be the best of the set.

The music: the two works on this disc aren't prominent in the repertory but the Op. 44 #2 quartet in e minor would be on my short list of neglected masterworks. The liner notes says that the quartet is esteemed by musicologists. That isn't necessarily a recommendation, but I concur with the assessment. A beautiful mid-period work by Mendelssohn that I'd place right behind the famous String Octet in terms of quality. The Op. 12 quartet dates from 1829, when the composer was 20 (!), and is better known than op. 44 #1. The liner notes say it is modelled on Beethoven's "Harp" quartet Op. 74 but I don't quite hear it, although Felix was clearly influenced by LvB's general style and approch in this opus. It is a mature, exciting work with a very characteristic Scherzo that is a favorite of mine, in an appealing, graceful style.

Performance: The Aurora Quartet consists of string players from the San Francisco Symphony. They are absolutely excellent: musical, dynamic, no intonation problems, very technically strong. A first-rate ensemble.

Sonics: Like the other reviewer states, this is a better recording than Naxos typically issues. Very clear, no brightness.

Great music, performance, sound. And cheap. What are you waiting for?