Search - Robert Fuchs :: Robert Fuchs: Complete String Quartets

Lovely, lyrical romanticism

Evan Wilson | Cambridge, Massachusetts United States | 01/29/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Some years back, Thorofon released two CDs containing the complete symphonies of Robert Fuchs. They revealed a composer with a warm, Brahmsian palatte and modest lyrical gifts who ought to be heard occasionally. At the time, I hoped that I might hear more of his music and gradually we've seen more on disk including a Clarinet Quintet, several violin sonatas and a number of orchestral serenades. MD+G now favors us with Vol. 1 of Fuch's complete string quartets. This disk is the best I've heard of Fuchs yet. Unlike the orchestral pieces where Fuchs' material seems stretched thin, here we find lovely tunes set in an appropriately intimate context. There are many memorable moments throughout both pieces including a ghostly, puckish scherzo in the E Major quartet which contains a whiff of gypsy music. The A Minor quartet breaths of the same air that one finds in Schubert's later quartets (especially in the opening movement). Rather than trying to storm the heights, Fuchs revels in the pure fun of musicmaking and the results are delightful. The players seem to delight in the music as well, giving us warm, gentle performances which make this a great disk for relaxing withb by the fireplace after dinner. The sound is superb.If I have one quibble with this disc, it's with the notes which choose to quote several negative reviews from the time of the E Major quartet's premiere. The Minguet Quartet plays to the strength of the music; why doesn't the writer do the same? Sure, Fuchs wasn't a great composer, but I doubt anyone buying this disc would think he was. Lesser-known music needs committed advocacy, not comments that point to its weaknesses.Don't let that complaint stop you from getting this, though. It's warm, attractive Romantic music that will bring a smile to your heart."