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Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) String Quartet in F, Op. 96, American (1893) [25’44]. Johannes BRAHMS (1833-97) String Quartet in C minor, Op. 51 No. 1 (1865-73) [31’04] Škampa String Quartet (Pavel Fischer, Jana Lukášova, violins; Radim Sedmidunský, viola; Jonáš Krejčí, cello) Rec Domovina Studio, Prague, on April 30th and June 28th-29th, 1998. DDD SUPRAPHON SU3380-2 [56’54]

The Škampa Quartet is quite an ensemble. They are quite obviously (and literally) at home in the music of Dvořák. This quartet followed chronologically on from the Ninth Symphony, but the more intimate sphere of chamber music led Dvořák to make a more personal and less dramatic statement. The composer’s nostalgia for his homeland must be heard within the context of the excitement of enjoying his surroundings, something the Škampa Quartet realises full well. The longing mood is presented without lingering indulgence. The first movement is smooth and confident (track 1), while the Lento shows the quartet’s warm sound and their keen sense of balance and close rapport. The recording helps, in that while it is full, all the details come easily through, helping the music to move inevitably onwards. The Molto vivace third movement’s opening is delicately pointed, the Quartet’s highly developed sense of rhythm a joy (track 3). This in fact prepares the ground for the infectious finale, where a sense of fun in the dance rhythms prevails. A superb performance. The Brahms makes for an ideal companion. The Škampa Quartet changes, chameleon like, into a highly-tensile group for the energy-ridden opening (Track 5): this concentration is to permeate the entire movement. The Romanze second movement (Poco adagio) acts as the perfect contrast (and the quartet plays with a true pianissimo). This is an enormously rewarding performance which obviously stems from prolonged study of the musical text. Unhesitatingly recommended. Colin Clarke   Advertising Rates Visitor stats MusicWeb International has over 40,000 Classical CD reviews on offer Discs received Having a problem Donating? Gerard Hoffnung Concerts & The Bricklayer Story MusicWeb can now offer you discs from the following catalogues: Prices include postage There will be NO VAT Rises [Acte Préalable £13.50] [Arcodiva £12.00] [Avie from £6.25] [British Music Society £12.00] [CDACCORD from £13.50 ] [ClassicO £12.50] [Hallé from £11] [Heritage £10] [Hortus £14.99 ] [Lyrita ONLY £11.75 ] [Nimbus Special prices] [Northern Flowers £13.50] [REDCLIFFE £11 ] [Sheva £11] [Tactus £11.50 ] [Talent from £12.00 ] [Toccata Classics £10.50 ] Musicweb Special Offers Monthly Best Buys   New Releases New Releases   MusicWeb sells the Polish catalogue CDAccord £10.50 post free W-W MusicWeb sells the Arcodiva catalogue £12.00 post free W-W £11.75 post-free world- wide     Google Ads - for information about privacy matters, click here.  Amazon Musicweb International is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

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