Revered in his lifetime
as one of the very great composers Mendelssohn’s
standing has been on the ebb principally
since the mid-twentieth century. It
is only a handful of compositions that
keeps Mendelssohn’s name in the spotlight,
works such as, the Violin Concerto,
the Overture to A Midsummer Night’s
Dream, the Italian Symphony
and the Octet are the most likely
to be encountered on record or in concert
performance. Of the composer’s substantial
choral output only the oratorios St.
Paul and Elijah are regularly
performed by choral societies.
Following swiftly on
the heels of their critically
acclaimed first volume of Mendelssohn
quartets this wonderful release from
the Henschel Quartet will help to redress
the balance and assist Mendelssohn’s
rehabilitation. Containing three siblings
as members, the award-winning Henschel
Quartet are a young German based ensemble
who are successfully carving out a considerable
reputation for themselves. Earlier this
year I was fortunate to attend one of
their recitals which was a remarkable
experience which will stay with me for
many years.
Mendelssohn composed
his String Quartet (No.2) in A minor,
Op. 13 in 1827 when he was eighteen.
It is not surprising that this early
period work uses the string quartets
of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven as stylistic
models. The piece is immediately appealing
and packed with melody and invention.
The Henschels offer a stylish and delicious
account of the quartet. They are particularly
effective in the memorable lyricism
of the third movement Intermezzo
and wonderfully blend the tension
and excitement of the complex final
movement to its gentle and calming conclusion.
The String Quartet
(No. 5) in E flat major, Op. 44 No.
3 was composed in 1838 and it is thought
that Mendelssohn gave the work considerable
revision. Mendelssohn had studied the
late quartets of Beethoven who was undoubtedly
the inspiration behind this richly bodied
and forward looking quartet. The Henschels
clearly have this music in their blood,
playing with accomplishment, passion
and considerable control. I was particularly
impressed with the warm-hearted confidence
that they give to the concise and elegant
opening movement Allegro. Their
consummate handing of the driving, forward
momentum of the second movement Scherzo
is also worthy of special praise.
The catalogues contain
significant competing versions of these
two quartets but this outstanding new
release is more than capable of holding
its own with the best. In the String
Quartet (No. 2) in A minor Op. 13, I
would not wish to be without the distinguished
period-instrument interpretation from
Christophe Coin’s Quatuor Mosaïques
on Audivis Astrée Naïve
E 8622. With regard to the String Quartet
(No. 5) in E flat major, Op. 44/3 the
version from the Coull Quartet from
their complete set on Hyperion CDS 44051/3
is much-admired and is worth consideration.
The Aurora Quartet have recorded all
of Mendelssohn’s quartets to significant
acclaim and both these featured works
are available on a single CD on Naxos
8.550863.
The Henschel Quartet
go from strength to strength and on
this showing a magnificent career is
assured. I can confidently recommend
his superb release without reservation.
Michael Cookson
Henschel Quartet 
