Review by JJ November 15, 2008 (2 of 4 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
Illuminated by ideal expressiveness, this latest volume in the admirable complete set of Bartók’s string quartets by the Parkanyi, comprising quartets N°3 Sz 85 & 4 Sz 91, is a real artistic and audiophile marvel. “The imposing set of six quartets dominates the first half of the 20th century as much as those from the Viennese school”, writes Alain Poirier. “Furthermore, these latter quartets pop up regularly at a fundamental moment in the evolution of Bartók’s language, establishing a trajectory over more than thirty years, and weaving, by their strategic place, a network of close relations with scores that are contemporary with them.” The composer Leo Weiner (1885-1960), a contemporary of Bartók, was a well-known professor whose famous students included, among others, Sir Georg Solti, Antal Dorati and Gyorgy Kurtag. “His considerable work,” tells us Pierre-Emile Barbier, “first started out in a Hungarian style, quite traditional and post-romantic, then towards writing that was refined and naturally polymodal. It covered the stage, the symphony and concerto, numerous folk pieces for piano, and chamber music.” Dating from 1938, his String Quartet N°3 in G minor is in three movements and offers a striking contrast to Bartók’s music. The Parkanyi Quartet, formerly the Orlando, once again treats us to a lesson in tonal balance, allowing living, lively and passionate musicality that is constantly in movement to serve essential works. To top it all, the pure DSD recording is a pleasure to listen to and one that is remarkable for its straightforwardness.
Jean-Jacques Millo Translation Lawrence Schulman
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