10.07.18, 14)54Stradivari Quartet: Schumann String quartets |
Review | The Strad
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The Strad Issue: July 2018
Description: A wonderful reminder of the delights of these three
quartets
Musicians: Stradivari Quartet
Works: SCHUMANN String quartets: op.41, no.1 in A minor, no.2 in
F major, no.3 in A major
Catalogue Number: RCA RED SEAL 88985492642
Schumann’s three string quartets are surely exemplars of the old
adage that the best is the enemy of the good.
The third of them is standard repertoire nowadays, but the other
two still lurk in the shadows. To hear this CD is
THE STRAD RECOMMENDS
10.07.18, 14)54Stradivari Quartet: Schumann String quartets |
Review | The Strad
Seite 3 von
3https://www.thestrad.com/reviews/stradivari-quartet-schumann-string-quartets/7951.article
to be reminded of what delights they all have to offer. The
Stradivari players lay out their stall from the andante
start of the A minor Quartet op.41 no.1 with clear, focused
tone, warm sound and immaculate textural clarity –
crucial in these contrapuntal works.
They are aided by excellent recording, in a resonant acoustic.
The ensuing Allegro is fluid, and the second
movement is dynamic, with taut rhythms. The Adagio becomes
increasingly uneasy, and the final Presto is
exuberant.
The opening allegro vivace of the Second Quartet op.41 no.2
presses forward enthusiastically, with a beguiling
swing. The apparent simplicity of the andante is laced with
sparkling details. The players make much of the
misleading syncopations of the scherzo.
The syncopations in the first two movements of the Third Quartet
op.41. no.3 are equally telling, unsettling in
the opening allegro molto and deftly confusing the ear in the
opening of the assai agitato. The finale is all clipped
vitality.
TIM HOMFRAY
