Flowing piano quartets by Dvořák
**** The Busch Trio, consisting of Mathieu Van Bellen, Ori Epstein and Omri Epstein, plays together with Miguel Da Silva the first and second piano quartet by Czech Antonín Dvořák: music for connoisseurs. The romantic warmth is strongly emphasized, although our current harsh times are also reflected in the performance.
One of the most striking points you hear between both works is the treatment of the second piano quartet; it is as Slavic as can be, whereas the first movement occasionally recalls Schubert, in short is more German in character. We will not analyze both works further or compare them with each other. You can find plenty of information about that on the worldwide web and in specialist literature. We will delve into the performance.
The quartet plays with absolute professionalism and in expansive lines that color and support the melodies. Whichever instrument comes to the fore with leading phrases, it never dominates the others. The balance could not be better, one could say it is excellent. From a recording perspective, a choice has been made for great clarity, perhaps too clear even – the reverb is limited, which makes the string instruments somewhat harder in tone compared to the piano. On the other hand, the phrasings come across better than would be the case with a live recording. You also don't need to make much effort, really none at all, to imagine while listening with your eyes closed the musicians playing in their correct positions.
Not only is very singing and warm music-making heard, but sometimes also 'too intelligently', which makes certain accentuations harder and presents just a bit too much the excess in everything of our contemporary society. These are choices that some prefer more than others. The main point remains that the spirit of Dvořák watches over this performance and provides more than sufficient romantic charge. Clear pluses with a few reservations. The latter should not, however, spoil the listening pleasure.
- WHAT: Antonín Dvořák, Piano Quartet no. 1 & 2
- WHO: Busch Trio, Mathieu Van Bellen, Ori Epstein, Omri Epstein, Miguel Da Silva
- RELEASE: Alpha-Classics ALPHA 288, www.alpha-classics.com
Musical emphasis on folk values
*** "Czech music has been part of my life since my childhood. I mean not only the classical, but also the folk music. In fact, it is the melodic beauty and the harmonic and rhythmic richness of folk music, a style that connected with my soul, that helps me understand the language of our most innovative composers, composers who carry our rich cultural heritage with them", says violinist Jan Talich.
Together with Petr Jiřikovský he plays the cd filled with works for violin and piano by Smetana, Dvořák, Suk, Janáček and Martinů. Names of composers who determined Czech music from the middle of the 19th century to well into the middle of the 20th century.
If I had compiled the cd, I would not have included the last work – that of Martinů. It is too brisk and cool, the stylistic break is just too great compared to virtually all the other works in this otherwise successful recording. The most heart-winning work in terms of both soul and musicality in the performance are the four Romantic pieces for violin and piano, opus 75, by Antonín Dvořák. You can also sing along, if you like, with the four pieces for piano and violin, opus 17, by Josef Suk. The four-part violin sonata by Leoš Janáček demands more knowledge from the listener. Singing along is not immediately possible and attention is required or too much of the music will be lost. The opening work of the CD is a simple pleasant composition, a two-part sonata for both instruments, by Bedřich Smetana.
Lovers of Romantic and post-Romantic chamber music will certainly be able to sink away with this recording in the lazy armchair, enjoying what the ear is offered.
- WHAT: Czech Music: Smetana, Dvořák, Suk, Janáček, Martinů
- WHO: Jan Talich (violin) & Petr Jiřikovský (piano)
- RELEASE: ČSOB Private Banking
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lMJ6VTjfls[/embed]