Dvorak

[sonnyhill]

I heard Dvorak's 13th string quartet on WKCR and liked what I heard. I purchased the Naxos version with the Vlach String Quartet, which I like very much. On that disc, Dvorak's 13th is paired with his American Quartet; The American is ok, but I feel that the 13th is in another league. Is a full set of Dvorak's SQ's required listening (like Beethoven's) or is it a safe bet to just listen to his "late" SQ's (i.e. 10th - 14th, which are obtainable inexpensively on Naxos) to get the best of Dvorak?

[Larry Kart]

Haven't heard the others EDC recommends, but I have a three-LP Panocha set on Supraphon (earlier performances -- mid-1980s -- than are on the CD set, I believe), and it's some of the loveliest string quartet I've ever heard of anything. Especially striking IIRC is the sense of transparent "grain" in the textures/timbres; Dvorak string quartet performances that shove sleek vibrato down your throat are not desirable IMO.

[Mark Stryker]

Speaking for myself, I've never found the early Dvorak quartets especially compelling. Pleasant but not essential and in no way as significant as the early and middle Beethoven quartets. That said, I can't imagine living without the late quartets and have always had a special fondess for Op. 51 (No. 10). You might try sampling the great Piano Quintet in A, the two Piano Quartets and the mature Piano Trios after the late quartets for more music representing higher-plane Dvorak. Of course, if the quartets are truly speaking to you then get them all.

On a related note, the two Janacek string quartets are extraordinary -- I mean, extraordinary, works. Unique, idiosyncratically modern, with a comprehensive aesthetic both nationalist and cosmopolitan that's similar to Bartok. The Smetana Qt versions on Testament are terrific though they come on two CDs, each coupled with a Dvorak (Piano Quintet/14th Quartet). I cannot vouch for the Vlach on Naxos having not heard them but if it's good enough for EDC it's good enough for me.

And speaking of "Jenufa," seeing Karita Mattila in the MET production a few years ago was one of the highlights of my life. And speaking of naked, I didn't see Mattila in "Salome" but heard great things about her in the role.

Czechily yours,

MS

Edited December 22, 2007 by Mark Stryker

[king ubu]

I'm looking for a recording of "Stabat mater" - any recommendations?

[king ubu]

Sorry, posted here via google search and didn't see the subtitle - there's another string quartets thread here:

But as for my question (which I still hope is okay to ask here), I found (among others) these:

[ejp626]

I heard Dvorak's 13th string quartet on WKCR and liked what I heard. I purchased the Naxos version with the Vlach String Quartet, which I like very much. On that disc, Dvorak's 13th is paired with his American Quartet; The American is ok, but I feel that the 13th is in another league. Is a full set of Dvorak's SQ's required listening (like Beethoven's) or is it a safe bet to just listen to his "late" SQ's (i.e. 10th - 14th, which are obtainable inexpensively on Naxos) to get the best of Dvorak?

Not much use this late, but I did like Emerson's version of the American String Quartet. I have this edition: Emerson-Dvorak

I was fortunate enough to see the Emerson Quartet live, playing the American String Quartet, so that surely influences my appreciation for this recording.

It appears they held off for quite a while, but with the release of this set they have recorded 10 to 14, along with a few middle quartets. I don't have this set, but will see how cheaply I can get it up here.

Guess I wasn't very clear. I can't tell the complete contents of the 3 CD set at the moment, but it does not include American Quartet (#12), but rather quartets 10-11, 13-14, the American String Quintet and some other earlier Dvorak chamber music, including Cypresses.

Edited September 5, 2012 by ejp626

[J.A.W.]

I have the Hollywood String Quartet interpretation of Dvořák's string quartet 12 on a Testament CD, and the four Vlach Quartet Naxos CDs with Dvořák's string quartets 8-14. I like them, but I don't have any other versions to compare them with. Same goes for the Talich Quartet's interpretations of the Janáček string quartets. They recorded them twice, in the 1980s and in 2004 for Calliope.

I've heard the Emerson Quartet on quite a few recordings, but I've never warmed to them. They sound too "perfect", too clinically clean to me, sterile even. Not my cup of tea.

Edited September 5, 2012 by J.A.W.

[David Ayers]

Maybe go for the recent version with the Pavel Haas Quartet on Supraphon.

It's always possible to audition all this stuff on a streaming service, of course...

Oh wait we're talking about the Stabat Mater... I don't care for it.

[king ubu]

Oh wait we're talking about the Stabat Mater... I don't care for it.

Well, sorry 'bout that, but I promised my mother to get her a recording, that's what prompted my question ... tending to Belohlávek (Chandos 1991) right now, but Sinopoli or Kubelik would be other options.

(For my own sake, I might tend to go for older recordings by Smetácek or Talich, but I want to make sure to get an okay to good-sounding version this time and don't have time to check out various ones first ... don't want to spend a fortune either since I've got no idea if it's of any interest to me.)

(edited for fixing a link)

Edited September 5, 2012 by king ubu

[David Ayers]

Kubelik sound is very constricted and dated. I haven't heard the others. I've heard it performed by Belohlavek and the LSO and think of it more as a piece for real life than for domestic listening.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2001/mar/06/artsfeatures3

http://www.standard.co.uk/arts/music/springing-into-classical-action-7429519.html

'Fac me'

Sinopoli is said to be 'operatic' so might not be to all tastes.

[king ubu]

Thanks! Interesting reads ... and I guess for me it will be a one-time live experience in the end, too.

I might try and listen to excerpts in a store, but I guess they'll only have Sinopoli and Yo-Yo-Ma and Lang-Lang there, alas.

[paul secor]

Has anyone heard the Pacifica Quartet's recording of String Quartet No. 13 and String Quintet op. 97? http://www.amazon.com/Dvor%C3%A1k-String-Quartet-Op-Quintet/dp/B00005UCI2/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1346879704&sr=1-1&keywords=pacifica+quartet+dvorak

[ejp626]

Has anyone heard the Pacifica Quartet's recording of String Quartet No. 13 and String Quintet op. 97? http://www.amazon.com/Dvor%C3%A1k-String-Quartet-Op-Quintet/dp/B00005UCI2/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1346879704&sr=1-1&keywords=pacifica+quartet+dvorak

I don't believe so. I might have borrowed from the library but don't recall. In general, I like Pacifica quite a bit, esp. their Shostakovich, so I think you'd enjoy it.

[David Ayers]

I am much more rash than you guys - I just buy (or stream) whatever I fancy in any given moment!

[Bigshot]

Last week Amazon.de had the Stamitz complete set of Dvorak String Quartets for 15 euro. Great deal for a very good set.