Dvorak: Piano Quartets

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These are two very enjoyable works. Hans Keller's description of the opening pages of the E flat Quartet as 'childish' is staggering – this from the leading campaigner against 'posthumous critical... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Catalogue No: CDA66287
Label: Hyperion
Length: 70 minutes

Penguin Guide

Rosette

Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days

Dvořák: Piano Quartet in D major, Op 23

Work length34:07

$3.30

$4.50

Domus

I. Allegro moderato

Track length15:29

$1.10

$1.50

II. Theme (Andantino) and Variations

Track length11:06

$1.10

$1.50

III. Finale: Allegretto scherzando

Track length7:32

$1.10

$1.50

Dvořák: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E flat, Op. 87

Work length36:10

$4.40

$6.00

Domus

I. Allegro con fuoco

Track length8:44

$1.10

$1.50

II. Lento

Track length10:30

$1.10

$1.50

III. Allegro moderato grazioso

Track length7:26

$1.10

$1.50

IV. Finale: Allegro ma non troppo

Track length9:30

$1.10

$1.50

Reviews
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Reviews

2010

These are two very enjoyable works. Hans Keller's description of the opening pages of the E flat Quartet as 'childish' is staggering – this from the leading campaigner against 'posthumous critical torture'! Childlike would be much more suitable, and this appealing characteristic is well brought out by the members of Domus: Susan Tomes's descent from incisive fortissimo clarity to pianissimo mystery in the opening bars is a delight, and fully prophetic of the kind of musicianship we're to hear. Two other unforgettable moments from this performance: the lovely return of the first movement second subject, with its heart-easing B major/E flat major modulation – very sensitive use of rubato here – and cellist Richard Lester's richly expressive solos at the beginning of the Lento.
The D major Quartet is a delightful, if not fully mature piece – it does tend to rely rather heavily on sequence and repetition. Domus makes sure we don't miss any of its virtues, but it doesn't force anything: the timing in the magical opening shift from D major to B major is finely judged, and Dvorák's wonderfully effortless melodies are affectionately shaped and shaded; admirable too the way Susan Tomes finds so much beauty in what often looks like conventionally decorative piano writing. In general the sound is very pleasing, intimate enough to draw one right into the performances without being intimidating, even in the somewhat histrionic second theme of the E flat Quartet's Lento. A richly rewarding disc.

2011 edition

This is real chamber-music playing: intimate and distinguished by both vitality and sensitivity.

Dvorak: Piano Quartets

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