String Quartets: Brahms Nos.1-3; Dvořák No.12 ‘American’; Haydn Op.76/3 ‘Emperor’

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:48:34 +0000

“I’m struck afresh by the power, precision and sheer puissance of their music-making … The Brahms quartet recordings remain ‘outstanding’; affectionate but free of affection, considered yet vitally spontaneous” [Dvořák]: “strongly conceived, full of ardour … scherzo & finale show their brilliance of ensemble” (Penguin Guide 3*)

CD1 [61:00]

Johannes Brahms: String Quartet Op.51 No.1 in C minor [30:00]

1. Allegro 8:16 2. Romanze. Poco Adagio 6:49

3. Allegretto molto moderato e comodo – Un poco più animato 9:12

4. Allegro 5:41

Johannes Brahms: String Quartet Op.51 No.2 in A minor [30:50]

1. Allegro non troppo 9:24 2. Andante moderato 9:28

3. Quasi Minuetto, Moderato – Allegretto vivace 5:24

4. Finale. Allegro non assai 6:33

CD2 [78:00]

Johannes Brahms: String Quartet Op.67 in B flat major [32:02]

1. Vivace 7:39 2. Andante 7:22

3. Agitato (Allegretto non troppo) 7:36 4. Poco Allegretto con Variazioni 9:24

Antonín Dvořák: String Quartet Op.96 ‘American’ in F major [23:37]

5. Allegro ma non troppo 7:01 6. Lento 7:23

7. Molto Vivace 3:48 8. Finale. Vivace, ma non troppo 5:23

Joseph Haydn: String Quartet Op.76 No.3 in C ‘Emperor’ [21:58]

9. I: Allegro 6:33

10. II: Poco Adagio; Cantabile – Variations I to IV 7:27

11. III: Minuet: Allegro; Trio 4:14 12. IV: Finale: Presto 3:43

Amadeus Quartet – Alto CD

String Quartets: Brahms Nos.1-3; Dvořák No.12 ‘American’; Haydn Op.76/3 ‘Emperor’