Antonín Dvořák - String Quintet No. 3; String Sextet (Raphael Ensemble)

Information

Composer: Antonín Dvořák

1. String (Viola) Quintet in E flat major, Op. 97: 1. Allegro non tanto
2. String (Viola) Quintet in E flat major, Op. 97: 2. Allegro vivo
3. String (Viola) Quintet in E flat major, Op. 97: 3. Larghetto
4. String (Viola) Quintet in E flat major, Op. 97: 4. Finale. Allegro giusto
5. String Sextet in A major, Op. 48: 1. Allegro moderato
6. String Sextet in A major, Op. 48: 2. Dumka (Elegie). Poco allegretto
7. String Sextet in A major, Op. 48: 3. Furiant. Presto
8. String Sextet in A major, Op. 48: 4. Finale (Tema con variazioni). Allegretto grazioso, quasi andantino

Raphael Emsemble
James Clark, violin
Elizabeth Wexler, violin
Sally Beamish, viola
Roger Tapping, viola
Andrea Hess, cello
Rhydian Shaxson, cello

Date: 1988
Label: Hyperion
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDH55405

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Review

Dvorak's Quintet dates from the same time as his American Quartet, when he was staying happily surrounded though touched by his deep nostalgia, at Spilville in lowa. The Quintet was indeed, also sometimes in the past known as American, perhaps because of the circumstances but also for the probable influence on the music of the singing and dancing of a group of Indians who came to sell herbs to Dvorak's Czech hosts. The piece is too little known: though it does not possess quite the tuneful ease of the more famous quartet, there is music in similar vein here, given a new dimension by the addition of an extra viola. Mozart found great additional warmth and interest made available with the added instrument: Dvorak does not, on the whole, follow Mozartian devices but allows the two instruments greater separation and individuality though he also enjoys the enriched textures. The Scherzo is a brilliantly lively movement that well balances the blithe lyricism of the opening Allegro non tanto and Dvorak makes marvellously skilful, charming use of his opportunites in a set of variations in the unlikely key of A flat minor.

The Sextet, which belongs to an earlier phase of the composer's career, is less texturally adventurous but none the less tuneful and refreshing, it retains a good deal of the mood and atmosphere of the recently composed Slavonic Dances, and indeed includes a beautiful Allegretto Dumka. These are delightful works, delightfully played with a nice sense of their relaxed and undemanding nature; only occasionally do shadows cross the music, which is essentially for recreation. The recording, too, is friendly: close and clear.

-- John Warrack, Gramophone

More reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/String-Quintet-Op-97-Sextet/dp/B000002ZL3

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Antonín Dvořák (September 8, 1841 – May 1, 1904) was a Czech composer. He was the second Czech composer to achieve worldwide recognition, after Bedřich Smetana. Following Smetana's nationalist example, many of Dvořák's works show the influence of Czech folk music, such as his  two sets of Slavonic Dances, the Symphonic Variations, and the overwhelming majority of his songs. Dvořák wrote in a variety of forms: nine symphonies, ten operas, three concertos, several symphonic poems, serenades for string orchestra and wind ensemble, more than 40 works of chamber music, and piano music.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton%C3%ADn_Dvo%C5%99%C3%A1k

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The Raphael Ensemble was formed in 1982 with the aim of performing masterpieces of the quintet and sextet repertoire. Their debut recording of Brahms' Sextets for Hyperion Records was selected for BBC Radio 3's Critics' Choice of 1989. The Raphael Ensemble has given many BBC broadcasts particularly of many more unusual and neglected masterpieces. They have played at the Bath, Warwick and Edinburgh International Festivals and have given many performances at The Wigmore Hall and at London's South Bank Centre. The Ensemble have performed as featured artists in festivals and major series around the world.
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/a.asp?a=A779

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