Classical Net

The Internet's Premier Classical Music Source

Related Links

Recommended Links

Give the Composers Timeline Poster



Site News

What's New for
Winter 2018/2019?

Site Search

Follow us on
Facebook    Twitter

Affiliates

In association with
Amazon
Amazon UKAmazon GermanyAmazon CanadaAmazon FranceAmazon Japan

ArkivMusic
CD Universe

JPC
ArkivMusic

Sheet Music Plus Featured Sale

CD Review

Alexander Glazunov

Complete String Quartets – Volume 2

  • String Quartet #2 Op. 10
  • Elégie for Strings, Op. 105
  • String Quartet #4 Op. 64
Utrecht String Quartet
Dabringhaus & Grimm MDG6031237-2 69m DDD
Find it at AmazonFind it at Amazon UKFind it at Amazon GermanyFind it at Amazon CanadaFind it at Amazon FranceFind it at Amazon JapanOrder Now from ArkivMusic.comFind it at CD Universe

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.

Copyright © 2005, Gerald Fenech

Trumpet

© 1995-2024 Classical Net
Use of text, images, or any other copyrightable material contained in these pages, without the written permission of the copyright holder,
except as specified in the Copyright Notice, is strictly prohibited. All Rights Reserved.