Gabriel Fauré; César Franck - String Quartets (Dante Quartet)

Information

Composer: Gabriel Fauré; César Franck

• (01) Franck - String Quartet in D major
• (05) Fauré - String Quartet in E minor

Dante Quartet
Krysia Osostowicz, violin
Giles Francis, violin
Judith Busbridge, viola
Bernard Gregor-Smith, cello

Date: 2008
Label: Hyperion
https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67664

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Review

The Dante, with playing of vigour and such tenderness, at emotional extremes

Two swansongs, and in each case it’s the composer’s only string quartet. But how different these works are – the Franck overflowing with invention, drama and passion, while Fauré’s sparer textures and unchanging motion leave an impression of reflective melancholy. Roger Nichols’s excellent notes point out, though, how the music of both composers has the quality of intériorité, of intimacy and self-examination.

This is a notably well recorded disc; we’re placed, it seems, right in the middle of the music-making, and from the opening bars of the Franck we feel the intensity of the Dante’s commitment. You may consider, as I did, that their intense approach, with powerful vibrato and bow pressure applied even to the voices filling out the harmony, tends to become rather wearing. The Ysaÿe Quartet (Ysaÿe, 6/07), at a more flowing tempo and concentrating on resonant rather than emotionally charged tone, may not make the same initial impact but they allow the noble, touching quality of Franck’s invention to make its full effect. The Dante performance, however, is still a fine one, by turns vigorous and tender, and with impressive variety of expression.

In the Fauré there’s a nice ebb and flow of feeling as the music progresses – in a leisurely way in the Andante, more purposeful in the outer movements. I find the Miami Quartet (Conifer, 3/98 – nla), with silky tone, rhythmic flexibility and sophisticated control of internal balance, come closer to the heart of this elusive music, but you may prefer the Dante’s more earthy approach. It’s certainly playing of great accomplishment.

-- Duncan Druce, Gramophone

More reviews:
BBC Music Magazine  PERFORMANCE: ***** / SOUND: ****
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/aug/01/classicalmusicandopera1
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/recordings/cd-faure-franck-0708.shtml
https://www.allmusic.com/album/faur%C3%A9-franck-string-quartets-mw0001422638
https://www.thestrad.com/faure-string-quartet-in-e-minor-franck-string-quartet-in-d-major/2173.article
https://www.audaud.com/franck-string-quartet-in-d-major-faure-string-quartet-in-e-minor-dante-quartet-hyperion/
https://www.amazon.com/Faure-Franck-String-Quartets-Gabriel/dp/B001AYAKTG

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Gabriel Fauré (12 May 1845 – 4 November 1924) was a French composer, organist, pianist and teacher. He was one of the foremost French composers of his generation, and his musical style influenced many 20th-century composers. Among his best-known works are his Pavane, Requiem, nocturnes for piano and the songs "Après un rêve" and "Clair de lune". Fauré composed many of his most highly regarded works in his later years, in a more harmonically and melodically complex style. His music has been described as linking the end of Romanticism with 20th century modernism.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Faur%C3%A9

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César Franck (10 December 1822 – 8 November 1890) was a composer, pianist, organist, and music teacher who worked in Paris during his adult life. As an organist he was particularly noted for his skill in improvisation. Franck is considered by many the greatest composer of organ music after Bach. Franck exerted a significant influence on music. He helped to renew and reinvigorate chamber music and developed the use of cyclic form. He became professor at the Paris Conservatoire in 1872, his pupils included Vincent d'Indy, Ernest Chausson, Louis Vierne, Charles Tournemire, Guillaume Lekeu and Henri Duparc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A9sar_Franck

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The Dante Quartet, founded in 1995, is one of the UK’s finest ensembles, known for its imaginative programming and impassioned performances. Frequently heard on Radio 3, the Quartet and has appeared many times at Wigmore Hall and Kings Place, as well as at the UK's foremost festivals and music societies. They have made many acclaimed recordings for Hyperion, Signum and SOMM labels. Committed also to teaching, they have created an annual string quartet course in France. The Quartet has been honoured with the Royal Philharmonic Society Award and also international awards for its recordings.
https://dantequartet.org/

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