Like
a finely tuned sports car, the quartet shifted yet again
for Debussy's Quartet in G minor, a work it has recently
recorded on Calliope. Here again, one was amazed by
the ensemble and the ability to make timbre match the
work. The first theme of the first movement conjured
up one word: "velvet." It was a tactile response to
an auditory stimulus. Jan Talich Jr. is a commanding
performer whose aim is true with short or long bow strokes.
His swagger and confidence never hurt the cohesiveness
of the group. After all, music is not the realm of true
democracy.
—
Pittsburgh, Post-gazette.com
It's
no coincidence this Czech ensemble drew such arresting
character from Janacek's folk-tinged syncopations, and
that same attention to Czech dance rhythms informed
their reading of Dvorak's G-Major String Quartet, Op.
106. Again, energy and poise were in equal balance,
and an intense concentration and cogent through-line
to their expression prompted Dvora k's
melodies to blossom, while allowing the score's musical
logic to register afresh.
—Washington
Post - Joe Banno
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