Str Qt in G, K.387: II. Menuetto & Trio: Allegretto
Str Qt in G, K.387: III. Andante Cantabile
Str Qt in G, K.387: IV. Molto Allegro
Str Qt in A, K.464: I. Allegro
Str Qt in A, K.464: II. Menuetto & Trio
Str Qt in A, K.464: III. Andante
Str Qt in A, K.464: IV. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Track Listings (8) - Disc #2
Str Qt in d, K.421: I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in d, K.421: II. Andante
Str Qt in d, K.421: III. Menuetto & Trio: Allegretto
Str Qt in d, K.421: IV. Allegretto Ma Non Troppo-Piu Allegro
Str Qt in E flat, K.428: I. Allegro Non Troppo
Str Qt in E flat, K.428: II. Andante Con Moto
Str Qt in E flat, K.428: III. Menuetto & Trio: Allegro
Str Qt in E flat, K.428: IV. Allegro Vivace
Track Listings (8) - Disc #3
Str Qt in B flat, K.458 'The Hunt': I. Allegro Vivace Assai
Str Qt in B flat, K.458 'The Hunt': II. Menuetto & Trio: Moderato
Str Qt in B flat, K.458 'The Hunt': III. Adagio
Str Qt in B flat, K.458 'The Hunt': IV. Allegro Assai
Str Qt in D, K.499 'Hoffmeister': I. Allegretto
Str Qt in D, K.499 'Hoffmeister': II. Menuetto & Trio: Allegretto
Str Qt in D, K.499 'Hoffmeister': III. Adagio
Str Qt in D, K.499 'Hoffmeister': IV. [Molto] Allegro
Track Listings (8) - Disc #4
Str Qt in C, K.465 'Dissonance': I. Adagio-Allegro
Str Qt in C, K.465 'Dissonance': II. Andante Cantabile
Str Qt in C, K.465 'Dissonance': III. Menuetto & Trio: Allegro
Str Qt in C, K.465 'Dissonance': IV. Allegro Molto
Str Qt in F, K.590: I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in F, K.590: II. Andante (Allegretto)
Str Qt in F, K.590: III. Menuetto & Trio: Allegretto
Str Qt in F, K.590: IV. Allegro
Track Listings (8) - Disc #5
Str Qt in D, K.575: I. Allegretto
Str Qt in D, K.575: II. Andante
Str Qt in D, K.575: III. Menuetto & Trio: Allegretto
Str Qt in D, K.575: IV. Allegretto
Str Qt in B flat, K.589: I. Allegro
Str Qt in B flat, K.589: II. Larghetto
Str Qt in B flat, K.589: III. Menuetto & Trio: Moderato
Str Qt in B flat, K.589: IV. Allegro Assai
Mozart composed 22 string quartets; all are worth hearing, of course. On this five-CD set, the honey-toned Franz Schubert Quartet chooses 10 favorites, which run the gamut of emotions--from the despair of the D Minor Quart... more »et (K. 421) through the pastoral ease of the "Hunt" (K. 458) and the elegance of the "Hoffmeister" (K. 499). His last two quartets (K. 575 and K. 589) are both tranquil and bright. Throughout, the Schubert Quartet plays with great lyricism and drama. This is an ideal introduction to some of Mozart's greatest chamber music. --Robert Levine« less
Mozart composed 22 string quartets; all are worth hearing, of course. On this five-CD set, the honey-toned Franz Schubert Quartet chooses 10 favorites, which run the gamut of emotions--from the despair of the D Minor Quartet (K. 421) through the pastoral ease of the "Hunt" (K. 458) and the elegance of the "Hoffmeister" (K. 499). His last two quartets (K. 575 and K. 589) are both tranquil and bright. Throughout, the Schubert Quartet plays with great lyricism and drama. This is an ideal introduction to some of Mozart's greatest chamber music. --Robert Levine
CD Reviews
Best version
K. Kozan | USA | 10/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this set before the Penguin Guide rated it (after hearing it on radio). I have gone through various versions of these pieces; some of my best loved music is here. The Franz Schubert play it with the softness and sweetness that suits them. The sound is natural and warm, and imaging is excellent. If you are considering a modern recording of this music in a comprehensive set, this is the version to get."
An excellent set and worthy addition
S. M. Struhl | Wilmette, IL United States | 05/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The playing is both technically secure and insightful--everything is done extremely well. Ensemble is excellent; you can hear all the parts clearly and sounding in balance. I don't know where the complaints about sound in some other reviews come from--this is recorded well, sounding as a string quartet should when played on a large home system, a "wave" type radio or in the car. I'm sorry to see this knocked by some others on this site when it is an excellent choice."
"Outstanding Set in Every Way"
JohnL | Alexander, NC United States | 11/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The above words open the respected "Penguin Guide to Compact Discs", in their description of this wonderful budget-priced set of Mozart's ten arguably best String Quartets. This includes the six "Haydn" Quartets, the "Hoffmeister" (K.499), and the three "Prussian" late quartets. I'm not sure where the other two reviewers were when they were listening to these recordings, but they sound great to me. The above-mentioned Penguin Guide says that the this release has "the advantage of first-class, modern, digital recording, most naturally balanced in a pleasing acoustic". There is a fine attention to detail that, in my opinion, is not lost in some kind of echo chamber, as suggested by the other two reviewers. Anyone looking for a well-played and recorded BUDGET set of these ten great quartets need look no further for, again, to quote the afore-mentioned source: "this Nimbus bargain box rather sweeps the board.""
Enjoyable chamber music
Micaloneus | the Cosmos | 08/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Nimbus records have done it again! Really good performances at a great price, with that vintage Nimbus sound quality. Some like it and some do not. To me, it sounds as though it was recorded in a large room where the rich folks once held their big parties or fancy dances. Just close your eyes and imagine you're ease dropping (see cover art) on a string quartet performing to perfection these ten celebrated string quartets of Mozart. I found this set to be very enjoyable. I've also enjoyed the Medici String Quartet's Beethoven box set on Nimbus as well. More good performances at a great price, and again, with that vintage Nimbus sound.
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1