Dvorak & Suk: Piano Quartets

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There are times when their tempos seem a little wayward, notably at the end of the first movement, but these interpretative nuances never get in the way of the expressive intentions of the piece,... — BBC Music Magazine, January 2018, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 23rd Jun 2017
Catalogue No: SU42272
Label: Supraphon
Length: 60 minutes

Record Review

26th August 2017

Recording of the Week

Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days

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

Work length37:37

$4.20

$5.40

Josef Suk Piano Quartet

I. Allegro con fuoco

Track length8:52

$1.05

$1.35

II. Lento

Track length10:39

$1.05

$1.35

III. Allegro moderato, grazioso

Track length7:56

$1.05

$1.35

IV. Allegro, ma non troppo

Track length10:10

$1.05

$1.35

Suk: Piano Quartet in A minor, Op. 1

Work length22:56

$3.15

$4.05

Josef Suk Piano Quartet

I. Allegro appassionato

Track length7:28

$1.05

$1.35

II. Adagio

Track length8:12

$1.05

$1.35

III. Allegro con fuoco

Track length7:16

$1.05

$1.35

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The mature Antonín Dvořák vs. the teenage Josef Suk – a duel with two victors.

Recorded at the Concert Hall of the Prague Conservatrory 2016.

Works by Antonín Dvořák and Josef Suk – a teacher and his devoted pupil, the father-in-law and his son-inlaw – have customarily been performed together at concerts and featured next to each other on recordings. Yet that is all they have in common.

Dvořák’s Opus 87 reveals the personal and creative maturity of the 48-year-old composer, who at the time was in the prime of his life. Soon after completing his quartet, the maestro assumed the post of professor of composition at the Prague Conservatory. This decision would prove to be fateful – yet not so much for himself as it would be for the 17-year-old Suk, who was one of the most gifted students of Dvořák’s selected class. A child prodigy, Suk had enrolled at the conservatory at the age of 16, and a few years later he would be travelling around the world as a member of the famed Czech Quartet. He gave his Piano Quartet, which he wrote under Dvořák’s guidance, the symbolical opus number 1. The piece reflects his contemporary auto-stylisation as a passionate, flaring youth, yet its melodic forcibility and tenderness match that of Dvořák’s work.

The Josef Suk Piano Quartet (formerly the Ensemble Taras) has manifested its extraordinary qualities at international competitions (victory at the Concorso Salieri-Zinetti in Verona, the ACM Premio Trio di Trieste), as well as on concert stages all over the world.

The recording makes it evident that the young musicians have Dvořák and Suk in their blood.

Reviews

January 2018

There are times when their tempos seem a little wayward, notably at the end of the first movement, but these interpretative nuances never get in the way of the expressive intentions of the piece, and the playing throughout is unfailingly beautiful. Altogether, these are passionate and convincing performances.

Awards Issue 2017

All four musicians are steeped in the Czech tradition, which in terms of the string players means warmth and an unfettered ease that is very engaging. Climaxes are full-throated but never overstated…[the Suk is] given the best possible advocacy by these players…right down to the slightly over-the-top closing bars.

20th July 2017

they play with huge sound, loving detail and the kind of conviction and authority that comes from personal connection.

Dvorak & Suk: Piano Quartets

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