The Art of the Lindsays Sanctuary CDRSB404 [DRD]: Classical CD Reviews- August 2006 MusicWeb-International

This is an excellent compilation of works from the Lindsays’ long and distinguished career. I also feel it would make a splendid introduction to newcomers to the joys of “chamber music”. A sort of “Everything you wanted to know about chamber music but were afraid to ask!” for those who are perhaps intimidated by the genre and don’t know where to begin. This very modestly (well under Ł20) priced set is an ideal start and can lead to a further exploration of this fine quartet, now sadly but sensibly disbanded after forty years!

There are those music lovers out there who found the Lindsays (named after the head of their Uni: Keele) too rough round the edges; well not me! I find their approach so enthusiastic and lacking in pretension. To hear them live has been one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had.

Mozart’s Dissonance caused quite a stir at its first performance with a novel sound. Mozart can be prettified but here we have fine honest performances and it’s a good taster for their six discs of Mozart quartets and quintets. The Schubert produces another excellent rendition worthy in my opinion to rank with the “Busch” and the “Vienna Konzerthaus” - To be reviewed at a later date, God willing! It’s a good introduction to Schubert quartets with the lovely Rosamunde theme in the second movement. Again, if you can warm to this marvellous music then go for the bargain set of quartets and the quintet (see review).

The set then goes on to a very fine performance of Dvořák’s American quartet. I know he wrote 14 but this one’s special. I’ve a few recordings of this work but the group produces a lovely sound and a real feeling of understanding the idiom. I have to admit I don’t play Serioso by Beethoven that often but this is a wonderful version - right up there with the Busch and Vegh readings. There’s the angst of mid-period Beethoven and a taster of what’s to come. The slow movement hints at the “late quartets” but also shows traces of earlier styles - even Handel.

The Haydn is marvellous; especially the minuet and I know that Robin Ireland was especially keen on their Borodin; you will recognize a melody from Kismet in the slow movement. I’m not sure their Ravel is the top version but it’s fine as is their live Mendelssohn. Disc 4 gives us more "difficult”pieces. I really enjoyed hearing them play Bartók live and the Janáček is a moving piece. I find Tippett less encouraging but if you do like it I know their recordings of the five quartets are very highly regarded.

The final disc was recorded at their farewells in Sheffield. The Trout was my introduction to chamber music at Leeds Girls Grammar School in Easter 1967 and is my favourite chamber piece. Of course I love Curzon with Boskovky and team and other fine versions but this one is fine and dandy. What a good idea to round things off with the marvellous Brahms clarinet quintet, one of his finest works. I saw them three times in their final year but not sadly at Sheffield.

I really can’t recommend this highly enough. It was a source of joy on our recent holiday and will make excellent Christmas presents. A really great advertisement for chamber music.

Not sure about the picture though ...

David R Dunsmore

see also review by Michael Cookson

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