Str Qt No.2, 'Intimate Letters': Allegro-Andante-Con Moto-Adagio-Tempo I
Janácek's two string quartets are without question the most exiting pieces of their type composed this century, and they are certainly among the most enjoyable. Both have strong programmatic components. The First Quar... more »tet was inspired by Tolstoy's story "The Kreutzer Sonata," a passionate protest against the maltreatment of women. The Second Quartet, subtitled Intimate Letters, describes the composer's love affair with a woman 38 years his junior (it was a one-sided love; she was happily married and apparently totally confused by Jan´cek's attentions). Both works are superbly performed by the Panocha Quartet, one of the finest string quartets in the world. This music belongs in every collection. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. --David Hurwitz« less
Janácek's two string quartets are without question the most exiting pieces of their type composed this century, and they are certainly among the most enjoyable. Both have strong programmatic components. The First Quartet was inspired by Tolstoy's story "The Kreutzer Sonata," a passionate protest against the maltreatment of women. The Second Quartet, subtitled Intimate Letters, describes the composer's love affair with a woman 38 years his junior (it was a one-sided love; she was happily married and apparently totally confused by Jan´cek's attentions). Both works are superbly performed by the Panocha Quartet, one of the finest string quartets in the world. This music belongs in every collection. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. --David Hurwitz
CD Reviews
Passionate playing and great music
08/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Janacek's quartets are unique musical and psychological experiences, and the Prazak Quartet manages to capture the excitement and tension of each one. They have a lovely, dark sound appropriate to Janacek as well. The violin sonata is an interesting bonus. While not as compelling as either string quartet, it is rather powerful, and expertly played here."
Amazing CD
Martin Shultz | Houston, TX United States | 12/31/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"WOW! what a recording... I've had this CD for several years, and I'm always blown away by the way the Prazak quartet interprets these pieces. Technically, they play the two pieces nearly flawlessly, and there is all the necessary fire and virtuosity where it's needed.These four guys (who I think went to school together in Prague) are just as good to watch. I recently saw them perform, but unfortunately, they didn't do either of the Janacek quartets. Still a great concert- it's a lot different than seeing a modern American group (Emerson et al), since the the first violinist here tends to do nearly all the leading. Listening to this CD, though, you'd never get any indication of all the visual cues coming from the first violin- there's a lot of democratic blending of the sound here.In keeping with the way much of Janacek's music is composed, the Prazak quartet really does a great job at bringing out the sharp, sudden changes in different characters. It'll go from agitation one moment to then tenderness the next- it's what makes these pieces really fascinating."
I was blown away!
A.K. | 04/10/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I got the chance to hear this group of extremely talented musicians live in concert, I almost leapt for joy. Their tone and balance is superb, while they have been together so long they "know the lay of the land." This CD expresses the sheer quality in my favorite quartet today. The Prazak was made to play Janacek."
Fire and ice
David A. Baer | Indianapolis, IN USA | 11/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"
From the heart of Central Europe in the first quarter of the twentieth century comes this penetrating, challenging, occasionally disturbing, and ever rewarding music for small ensembles. The Prague-born Prazak Quartet is of course equal to the challenge.
Leos Janacek's music for string quartet show what the genre can be. Easily mistaken for a weak, limpid subset of classical music, music for quartet a la Janacek is as sinewy and energetic as it gets.
The Quartets for String Quartet Nos. 1 and 2 and the same composer's Sonata for Violin and Piano alternately set the listener on edge and set his heart to soaring. One wonders whether music can get any more emotionally gripping than this. One wonders, too, what angels and demons plucked the strings of Janacek's heart while he wrote it.
I first heard Janacek for quartet played by the Takacs Quartet during a 2007 visit to Indianapolis. A little research turned up the Prazak as equally fine interpreters of the Czech legend. You could hardly do better for getting acquainted with this most modern of composers than this CD."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1