Notes and Editorial Reviews
If the San Francisco-based Alexander String Quartet had only put the six Bartók quartets on their latest release, it might have slipped my notice. That despite a sweetly lyrical Bartók (with a particular fluid take of the Third and a Fifth bent on lyricism), because there’s simply too much competition out there, in all various shades of interpretative excellence. But the Alexander String Quartet must have known that Bartók-excellence alone might not suffice to make a dent and added a game-changing kicker in the form of Zoltan Kodály’s two rare, under-recorded, absolutely gorgeous quartets, works very closely linked to the accompanying Bartok.
Kodály’s style suits the Alexander String
Read more
Quartet’s penchant for near-symphonic beauty, but Kodály’s conciliatory air should not be mistaken for tonal timidity: plucky pizzicato passages, delightful-doleful dissonances, and atmospheric allusions are all present, as is a wildly charming Variations-and-Theme movement for a finale (actually authored by and credited to Kodály’s wife) in the first quartet. The set’s a winner, whether you think of the Kodály as a bonus CD or indeed the main reason for purchase, with Bartók thrown in.
– Jens F. Laurson (Fortune) Read less
Works on This Recording
2.
Quartet for Strings no 3, Sz 85 by Béla Bartók
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Alexander String Quartet
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1927; Budapest, Hungary
Venue: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Belveder
Length: 9 Minutes 49 Secs.
3.
Quartet for Strings no 5, Sz 102 by Béla Bartók
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Alexander String Quartet
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1934; Budapest, Hungary
Venue: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Belveder
Length: 30 Minutes 36 Secs.
4.
Quartet for Strings no 2 in A minor, Op. 17 by Béla Bartók
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Alexander String Quartet
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1915-1917; Budapest, Hungary
Venue: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Belveder
Length: 25 Minutes 1 Secs.
5.
Quartet for Strings no 4, Sz 91 by Béla Bartók
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Alexander String Quartet
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1928; Budapest, Hungary
Venue: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Belveder
Length: 22 Minutes 15 Secs.
6.
Quartet for Strings no 6, Sz 114 by Béla Bartók
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Alexander String Quartet
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1939; Budapest, Hungary
Venue: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Belveder
Length: 27 Minutes 8 Secs.
7.
Quartet for Strings no 1, Op. 2 by Zoltán Kodály
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Alexander String Quartet
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1908-1909; Hungary
Venue: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Belveder
Length: 37 Minutes 27 Secs.
8.
Quartet for Strings no 2, Op. 10 by Zoltán Kodály
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Alexander String Quartet
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1916-1918; Hungary
Venue: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Belveder
Length: 16 Minutes 20 Secs.
Customer Reviews
Be the first to review this title
Review This Title
