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In its third recording for EMI, the youthful Belcea Quartet approaches two works by Brahms with abundant energy and eagerness to please, but with less insight and conviction than the pieces demand. A fair appraisal of these performances must credit the players for adhering to form, for holding together as equal partners, and for maintaining a clear sense of purpose. However, their emotional involvement with the music is not adequately communicated, due either to their facility or, possibly, to a predetermined scheme of moods. The String Quartet No. 1 is, by turns, nervous, introspective, darkly lyrical, and passionately contentious, and these Romantic qualities are certainly part of Brahms' language. Yet they are almost superficially rendered, and the music seems to flow not from intimate engagement but from a conscious calculation of attitudes. The Belcea's performance of the String Quintet No. 2 is better for being more spontaneous and conversational. With the addition of Thomas Kakuska on second viola, the ensemble's repartee is spirited and, for the most part, enjoyable. Even so, their depth of feeling is less than compelling, and the group holds back too much until the finale, which is a promising breakthrough. The recording is well balanced and does justice to the Belcea's finely blended sound.
© TiVo
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String Quartet No. 1 in C minor Op. 51 (Johannes Brahms)
John Fraser, Producer - Johannes Brahms, Composer - Belcea Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Limited
John Fraser, Producer - Johannes Brahms, Composer - Belcea Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Limited
John Fraser, Producer - Johannes Brahms, Composer - Belcea Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Limited
John Fraser, Producer - Johannes Brahms, Composer - Belcea Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Limited
String Quintet No. 2 in G major, Op. 111 (Johannes Brahms)
John Fraser, Producer - Johannes Brahms, Composer - Belcea Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist - Thomas Kakuska, Viola, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Limited
John Fraser, Producer - Johannes Brahms, Composer - Belcea Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist - Thomas Kakuska, Viola, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Limited
John Fraser, Producer - Johannes Brahms, Composer - Belcea Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist - Thomas Kakuska, Viola, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Limited
John Fraser, Producer - Johannes Brahms, Composer - Belcea Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist - Thomas Kakuska, Viola, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Limited
Album review
In its third recording for EMI, the youthful Belcea Quartet approaches two works by Brahms with abundant energy and eagerness to please, but with less insight and conviction than the pieces demand. A fair appraisal of these performances must credit the players for adhering to form, for holding together as equal partners, and for maintaining a clear sense of purpose. However, their emotional involvement with the music is not adequately communicated, due either to their facility or, possibly, to a predetermined scheme of moods. The String Quartet No. 1 is, by turns, nervous, introspective, darkly lyrical, and passionately contentious, and these Romantic qualities are certainly part of Brahms' language. Yet they are almost superficially rendered, and the music seems to flow not from intimate engagement but from a conscious calculation of attitudes. The Belcea's performance of the String Quintet No. 2 is better for being more spontaneous and conversational. With the addition of Thomas Kakuska on second viola, the ensemble's repartee is spirited and, for the most part, enjoyable. Even so, their depth of feeling is less than compelling, and the group holds back too much until the finale, which is a promising breakthrough. The recording is well balanced and does justice to the Belcea's finely blended sound.
© TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 8 track(s)
- Total length: 01:02:14
- Main artists: Belcea Quartet
- Composer: Johannes Brahms
- Label: Warner Classics
- Genre: Classical
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2009 Parlophone Records Limited
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