Dvořák: String Quartets Nos. 12 & 13

Album review

Second in popularity only to the Ninth Symphony "From the New World," Dvorák's Twelfth String Quartet -- which was dubbed the "American" Quartet by the public and media rather than the composer himself -- is a work nearly synonymous with the composer's tenure in the United States. These were not the only two works inspired by his cross-sea voyage, however. The Thirteenth String Quartet in G major, Op. 106, though not imbued with the same folkloric characteristics, also came about following the composer's return from the States. The popularity of the "American" Quartet has resulted in a work that is arguably overplayed, making it difficult for new ensembles to find anything new or unique to say about it. Such is the case with this Supraphon album of the Pavel Haas Quartet. Its playing in the F major quartet is solid, yes. It is technically polished and musically informed. But there is little to be found here that has not been said a dozen times before. Where the Pavel Haas Quartet really shines is in the less-frequently performed G major quartet. Here, the group really pulls out all the stops. Listen to the lush sonorities achieved in the Adagio, the hammering rhythmic ostinato and aggressive fugato in the third movement, or the fiery conclusion to the finale. The PHQ rides the line between overly aggressive playing and unbridled excitement without crossing it, resulting in a wholly thrilling performance that leaves listeners wishing they had left off the "American" Quartet in favor of another of the many neglected but equally deserving Dvorák quartets.

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