You might consider the Brahms Quintet's outer movements as a more flexible, latter-day counterpart to the gaunt sonorities and analytic drive that characterizes the classic Fleisher/Juilliard Quartet recording. The Dvorák hardly lacks for sparkle and panache, although I prefer the Panenka/Panocha Quartet edition's slightly slower tempos, which allow the music's rustic undercurrents their full dancing due. And for additional tonal warmth and a wider degree of ensemble inflection regarding phrasing and dynamics, I suspect the reference Rubinstein/Guarneri Quartet collaborations will continue to stand the test of time. In sum, Denk and colleagues are easily recommendable, while Rubinstein/Guarneri remains indispensable.

--Jed Distler, ClassicsToday.com