Alexander Glazunov - String Quartets Vol. 2 (Utrecht String Quartet)

Information

Composer: Alexander Glazunov

• (01) String Quartet No. 2 in F major, Op. 10
• (05) Elegy for strings, Op. 105
• (06) String Quartet No. 4 in A minor, Op. 64

Utrecht String Quartet

Eeva Koskinen & Katherine Routley, violins

Sven Arne Tepl, viola

Sebastian Koloski, cello

Date: 2005

Label: MDG

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Review

We may know Alexander Glazunov from his numerous symphonies and orchestral works but it is quite a shame that his chamber music has been somewhat overlooked. The ever enterprising and excellent German label MD&G now seeks to redress this issue with a promised issue of the composer's complete String Quartets and this second volume follows on from the equally excellent first disc that paired the Third and Fifth quartets.

The Utrecht String Quartet has chosen the Second and Fourth for this volume together with the solemn Elegy for strings, Op. 105, a late and rather brooding work. Both quartets are rousing affairs that are typical Glazunov and this indicates long breathed and varied melodic movements and somber slow movements. The 2nd is in F Major and moves along quite merrily with a fine Finale that is reminiscent of the First Symphony. The Fourth is slightly more effervescent and grander in scale and scope with a symphonic structure making the basis of the composition.

I haven't heard other Russian interpreters of these works but the Utrecht players are a distinguished group and they play with passion and verve for the composer. MD&G's recording is also very finely balanced with each instrument clearly delineated. I have nothing but praise for this fine venture and eagerly await further issues in this excellent series.

-- Gerald Fenech, Classical Net

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Alexander Glazunov (10 August 1865 – 21 March 1936) was a Russian composer of the late Russian Romantic period, music teacher and conductor. He served as director of the Saint Petersburg Conservatory between 1905 and 1928 Glazunov was significant in that he successfully reconciled nationalism and cosmopolitanism in Russian music. While he was the direct successor to Balakirev's nationalism, he tended more towards Borodin's epic grandeur while absorbing a number of other influences, including Rimsky-Korsakov's orchestral virtuosity, Tchaikovsky's lyricism and Taneyev's contrapuntal skill.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Glazunov

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The Utrecht String Quartet is one of the most renowned chamber-music ensembles, known internationally for its versatile and dynamic approach. In the Netherlands, the USQ takes part in all the important chamber music series; such as those at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, at Vredenburg in Utrecht and at the Frits Philips Music Centre in Eindhoven. The quartet has also been a regular guest in London since their debut in 2000. The USQ is Quartet in Residence of the Utrecht Conservatory. In addition to its extensive concert programme, the USQ also performs for radio and TV and for CD recordings.

https://www.naxos.com/person/Utrecht_String_Quartet/294879.htm

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