Tír Na HiFi

Interesting disc on Linn Records

Ravel String Quartet (arranged R. Barshai for string orchestra)
Shostakovich String Symphony op. 118 (String Quartet # 10 arranged for string orchestra by Barshai)

I have heard several of the Shostakovich "String Symphonies" and this one is quite effective and well played.

The revelation was the Ravel. It works with a larger ensemble, especially the "Assez vif, tres rhythme" scherzo movement.

Quite enjoyable and different.

Scottish Ensemble, Clio Gould conductor
Linn BKD 215

Some interesting arrivals this week. There was a previous and quite excellent recording of Zaïs in the rare, and I believe now defunct Stil label, with Gustav Leonhardt and La Petite Bande. But it was recorded over 35 years ago, and a new one is very much welcome. Since the orchestra is Les Talens Lyriques and the conductor is Christophe Rousset, the recording is self recommended. Sandrine Piau and Julien Prégardien are outstanding of course. 3 hours of bliss.

Talk about rarities, you won´t do better than Ludwig Meinardus. This oratorio was composed in the 1870´s but sounds earlier, let´s say 1840´s, Spohr or Mendelssohn to give you an idea. What caught my eye is that Hermann Max is conducting here the wonderful Concerto Köln instead of his also wonderful ensemble Das Kleine Konzert. But of course I had no idea of Meinardus and was a little cautious and in the end curious. It is very enjoyable, the first part has some excellent choruses and in the second there´s some operatic drama when Luther meets Charles V. The music is well written, I won´t say a forgotten masterpiece, but maybe the next best thing, certainly worth hearing. If you like Mendelssohn´s oratorios you are going to enjoy this. The recording is excellent, wonderful playing from the 45 players of the Concerto Köln, I believe the largest we have ever heard them.
When I told a friend about this new purchase he said apologetically that he had never heard of Meinardus, I told him that very probably not even his mother had heard of him, well, now thanks to CPO, let me introduce you to Ludwig Meinardus [1827-1896].

And here is a magnificent recording. I have a few recordings of Franz X. Richter, a Czech composer who lived a long, long life, was born in 1709 and died in Strasbourg in 1789. None of the other works I have heard of him particularly impressed me, but on the evidence of these string quartets, he couldn´t have been that bad. When Mozart visited Strasbourg he met the then 78 year old composer. In a letter Mozart described him in ill health but still drinking "20 bottles of wine" a day, he was a well known alcoholic. These quartets are probably some of the earliest as we know them in the modern form. They may even be earlier than Haydn´s first quartets but this has not been confirmed. What is surprising is how good they are. Only one is in 4 movements, the others are in 3, but the musical argument is well thought and developed. The excellent casalQuartet give us some of the most stylish and elegant playing since the Mosaïques. A truly wonderful discovery this one.

Jose Echenique wrote:


And here is a magnificent recording. I have a few recordings of Franz X. Richter, a Czech composer who lived a long, long life, was born in 1709 and died in Strasbourg in 1789. None of the other works I have heard of him particularly impressed me, but on the evidence of these string quartets, he couldn´t have been that bad. When Mozart visited Strasbourg he met the then 78 year old composer. In a letter Mozart described him in ill health but still drinking "20 bottles of wine" a day, he was a well known alcoholic. These quartets are probably some of the earliest as we know them in the modern form. They may even be earlier than Haydn´s first quartets but this has not been confirmed. What is surprising is how good they are. Only one is in 4 movements, the others are in 3, but the musical argument is well thought and developed. The excellent casalQuartet give us some of the most stylish and elegant playing since the Mosaïques. A truly wonderful discovery this one.

String quartets that may be eariler than Haydn and from a 20 bottles of wine a day man certainly warrant attention!

Vanhal: Missa Solemnis....

Dmitry Shostakovich
String Quartet No. 8
Borodin Quartet

This is really fabulous music, it's no wonder it's his most popular string quartet.

Jose Echenique wrote:
And here is a magnificent recording. I have a few recordings of Franz X. Richter, a Czech composer who lived a long, long life, was born in 1709 and died in Strasbourg in 1789. None of the other works I have heard of him particularly impressed me, but on the evidence of these string quartets, he couldn´t have been that bad. When Mozart visited Strasbourg he met the then 78 year old composer. In a letter Mozart described him in ill health but still drinking "20 bottles of wine" a day, he was a well known alcoholic. These quartets are probably some of the earliest as we know them in the modern form. They may even be earlier than Haydn´s first quartets but this has not been confirmed. What is surprising is how good they are. Only one is in 4 movements, the others are in 3, but the musical argument is well thought and developed. The excellent casalQuartet give us some of the most stylish and elegant playing since the Mosaïques. A truly wonderful discovery this one.

Fascinating Pepe, I have never heard of the Casal Quartett, thanks for the information.

Seán wrote:

Jose Echenique wrote:
And here is a magnificent recording. I have a few recordings of Franz X. Richter, a Czech composer who lived a long, long life, was born in 1709 and died in Strasbourg in 1789. None of the other works I have heard of him particularly impressed me, but on the evidence of these string quartets, he couldn´t have been that bad. When Mozart visited Strasbourg he met the then 78 year old composer. In a letter Mozart described him in ill health but still drinking "20 bottles of wine" a day, he was a well known alcoholic. These quartets are probably some of the earliest as we know them in the modern form. They may even be earlier than Haydn´s first quartets but this has not been confirmed. What is surprising is how good they are. Only one is in 4 movements, the others are in 3, but the musical argument is well thought and developed. The excellent casalQuartet give us some of the most stylish and elegant playing since the Mosaïques. A truly wonderful discovery this one.

Fascinating Pepe, I have never heard of the Casal Quartett, thanks for the information.

They only have 4 or 5 recordings so far dear Seán. Like the Kammerorchester Basel they play with modern and period instruments according to the repertoire, and they are fabulous, perfect tuning, superb musicianship, superior understanding of the score.

Jose Echenique wrote:


And here is a magnificent recording. I have a few recordings of Franz X. Richter, a Czech composer who lived a long, long life, was born in 1709 and died in Strasbourg in 1789. None of the other works I have heard of him particularly impressed me, but on the evidence of these string quartets, he couldn´t have been that bad. When Mozart visited Strasbourg he met the then 78 year old composer. In a letter Mozart described him in ill health but still drinking "20 bottles of wine" a day, he was a well known alcoholic. These quartets are probably some of the earliest as we know them in the modern form. They may even be earlier than Haydn´s first quartets but this has not been confirmed. What is surprising is how good they are. Only one is in 4 movements, the others are in 3, but the musical argument is well thought and developed. The excellent casalQuartet give us some of the most stylish and elegant playing since the Mosaïques. A truly wonderful discovery this one.

Giving this album a listen over lunch - very nice music and performance.
The casalQuartet seem to specialise in the performance of early string quartets, with some notable exceptions.
Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Mark