Dvorak: Double Bass Quintet And The American Quartet

Album review

While most folks may not have heard of Dvorák's Quintet for strings and double bass, the second of its five movements is one of the most popular of his works. Known in the quintet as Intermezzo, the second movement received wider circulation when arranged for string orchestra and re-named Nocturne. Either in or out of the quintet, the Intermezzo -- Nocturne is one of Dvorák's sweetest and most sensual pieces but, in context, it makes more sense as one movement, one mood, among many. Of course, the "American" Quartet -- with its glorious melodies, voluptuous harmonies, and infectious rhythms -- is one of Dvorák's most popular pieces and certainly his most popular piece of chamber music and needed no arrangement to achieve its success. In these recordings of the quintet and quartet by the Portland Quartet with bassist Gary Karr, both works receive affectionate, intimate, and virtuosic performances. The Portland Quartet has a warm tone and a rich sound which, when joined by Karr in the quintet, blossoms into a full, lush ensemble. While for many listeners, the quintet's Intermezzo -- Nocturne and the quartet's famous Lento will be the highlights of these performances, the Portland and Karr's rhythms in the quintet's Scherzo and the quartet's Finale are just as enjoyable and nearly as compelling. While these recordings come from the early years of digital sound, both are kinder to the ears than most recordings of similar vintage.
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