Mozart: The Prussian Quartets

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Their underlying musicianship is so superb that you find yourself absorbed in the mesmerising mastery of these works without any issues of style getting in the way. The group’s collective tone... — BBC Music Magazine, February 2023, 5 out of 5 stars (Performance) / 4 out of 5 stars (Recording) More…

Release Date: 2nd Dec 2022
Catalogue No: BIS2558
Label: BIS
Length: 86 minutes

Record Review

12th November 2022

Record of the Week

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Mozart: String Quartet No. 21 in D major, K575 'Prussian No. 1'

Work length22:56

$4.50

$6.50

$8.75

Chiaroscuro Quartet

I. Allegretto

Track length7:52

$1.50

$2.60

$3.50

II. Andante

Track length4:17

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

III. Menuetto & trio

Track length4:43

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

IV. Allegretto

Track length6:04

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Mozart: String Quartet No. 22 in B flat major, K589 'Prussian No. 2'

Work length25:24

$4.50

$6.50

$8.75

Chiaroscuro Quartet

I. Allegro

Track length8:56

$1.50

$2.60

$3.50

II. Larghetto

Track length6:11

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

III. Menuetto

Track length6:13

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

IV. Allegro assai

Track length4:04

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Mozart: String Quartet No. 23 in F Major, K590 'Prussian No. 3'

Work length38:14

$6.60

$12.85

$17.50

Chiaroscuro Quartet

I. Allegro moderato

Track length12:51

$2.05

$3.85

$5.25

II. Andante

Track length11:05

$2.05

$3.85

$5.25

III. Menuetto

Track length3:19

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

IV. Allegro

Track length10:59

$1.50

$3.85

$5.25

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After their exciting interpretations of Haydn, Beethoven and Schubert, the Chiaroscuro Quartet now turns to Mozart's Prussian Quartets, his last compositions for this formation. These quartets were written for Friedrich Wilhelm II, King of Prussia and amateur cellist, and offer that instrument an unusually prominent role. The first of the three was composed fairly quickly, in June 1789, but the next two were not completed until the following year, and in the end Mozart's plan for a set of six came to nothing. The writing of quartets was never an easy matter for Mozart. However, one would hardly guess that the Prussian quartets were the product of 'exhausting labor' (his own words), such is their beguiling ease of workmanship. No. 21 in D major stands out as one of the most melodious chamber compositions of Mozart's mature period, emanating something of the sensual Mediterranean warmth of the opera Così fan tutte composed shortly afterwards. No. 22 in B flat major also emphasizes the importance of melody and gives the 'royal' cello some beautiful solos. As for No. 23 in F major, while it is tempting to hear a melancholy, autumnal quality in Mozart's later works, there is, however, no sense of farewell in this his final string quartet: the spirit of Haydn is everywhere, especially in the finale with it's effects borrowed from Hungarian folklore.

Reviews

February 2023

Their underlying musicianship is so superb that you find yourself absorbed in the mesmerising mastery of these works without any issues of style getting in the way. The group’s collective tone is rounded and unexaggeratedly warm, with a gentle degree of vibrato emerging and flowering as each expressive moment requires

February 2023

All told, these beautifully proportioned readings are well worthy of your time.

30th November 2022

Specialists in classical-era repertoire, played with gut strings, they regularly generate such hues and dynamics that each note has its own personality, while never jeopardising the cohesion of four players brilliantly working as a team... the artistic results of the Chiaroscuro approach are so plentiful and enlivening: such as the absolute clarity, rhythmic vitality, high drama, lithe lyricism, and wit.

Mozart: The Prussian Quartets

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