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Grieg: String Quartet, Brahms: Clarinet Quintet - Jörg Widmann, Hagen Quartett

Grieg: String Quartet, Brahms: Clarinet Quintet - Jörg Widmann, Hagen Quartett

Myrios  MYR007

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Chamber


Grieg: String Quartet in G minor Op. 27, Brahms: Clarinet Quintet in B minor Op. 115

Jörg Widmann (clarinet)
Hagen Quartett


introspective | retrospective. The Hagen Quartett, winner of the ECHO Klassik award 2011, presents a second album commemorating its 30th anniversary on the myrios classics label. Two works are combined which are particularly revealing as regards the emotions of their composers: Edvard Grieg's introspective String Quartet, op. 27, and Johannes Brahms's retrospective legacy, the Clarinet Quintet, op. 115, masterfully performed together with clarinetist Jörg Widmann.

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Review by John Broggio - March 5, 2012

After their previous release, this is a disappointment.

Opening with the Grieg quartet, they treat it with the same seriousness and having the same performing conventions as the Brahms coupling. By comparison to the disarmingly fresh and vibrant account from the Engegard Quartet (String Quartets, Vol I: Haydn / Solberg / Grieg - Engegård Quartet), this is very much flat-footed and tries too hard to embed Grieg's work in the central canon. The folk element is thus entirely missed in their characterisation and the quartet suffers for it, despite immaculate ensemble.

The Brahms responds better to this approach yet the feeling of being over-deliberate is still present albeit to a far smaller degree. Thus the more flowing and autumnal approach found on Brahms: String Quartet No. 1 - Pražák Quartet is missed. Those looking for an account that is immaculately finished and builds up the structures into an almost symphonic edifice will be pleased; those wanting an intimate expression of this music, less so. Perhaps most successful is their treatment of the slow movement in which they amend their outlook away from "statement making".

The recording is very good and hides nothing (there is fortunately nothing to hide!)

Sadly not recommended in place of either of the above linked alternatives.

Copyright © 2012 John Broggio and HRAudio.net

Performance:

Sonics (Multichannel):

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