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The
Pro Arte Quartet Recorded in 1936, released as HMV 78s,
D.B.3115-3121
Matrix
numbers: 2EA: 4510-11 4466-67-68-69 4462-63-64-65 4506-07-08-09
Takes: All first take recordings
(Duration
57'56"")
Quartet
in C major, Op.1 No.6
Quartet
in E major, Op.54 No.3
Quartet
in A major, Op.55 No.1
Quartet
in G major, Op.64 No.4
Play
sample movement:
Both
the sound and the performance of these four quartets emerge crisp and
brilliant on this release. All the sec, witty, minimalist virtues inherent
but not always evident in the original recording have been revealed in
this reprocessing.
Opus
1 #5 shows that there is no such thing as immature Haydn. A jolly,
very short allegro gives way to a minuet followed by a slow movement on
muted strings with a pizzicato accompaniment. A four square allegro moderato
ends with a more rapid variation.
Opus
54 #3 begins with a mellow but not too rapid allegro, undergoes a
highly modulatory development and a very irregular recapitulation. A walking
andante featuring first violin figurations leads to a thrusting powerful
minuet. The opening stealthy theme of the finale brings expectations of
powerful developments ahead and so it is with this monothematic tour de
force.
Opus
55 #1 introduces one of Haydn's most wayward and roving first movements
where sonata form waypoints are difficult to locate. A rather conventional
slow movement leads to a charming, trilling minuet. The finale is rapid,
clothed in textual and harmonic fantasy and filled with contrapuntal touches.
Op 64
#4 propels a striding theme and subjects it to inexhaustible harmonic
changes. A rather conventional (for Haydn) minuet leads to an andante
with variations. The finale is very dynamic and swift and ends off balance
(at least it caught this listener off balance).
This series,
perhaps extending to eight volumes, will surely be one of the mainstays
of the Pristine Audio catalog. Those who have only heard these performances
in their flat EMI LP incarnation can have no idea of the artistic riches
that have been set free herein.
Notes
and review: Bill Rosen
Find
out more:
Quartet
in G major, Op. 64 No.4 1st mvt - Allegro con brio
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