Composer: Felix Mendelssohn
Performer: Emerson String Quartet
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Catalogue: 4775562
Release: 2005
Size: 1.03 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
String Quartet No.2 In A Minor, Op.13, MWV R22
01. 1. Adagio; Allegro vivace
02. 2. Adagio non lento
03. 3. Intermezzo; Allegretto con moto
04. 4. Presto
Four Pieces For String Quartet, Op.81, MWV R 35
05. 4. Fuga
String Quartet No.1 In E Flat, Op.12, MWV R 25
06. 1. Adagio non troppo; Allegro non tardante
07. 2. Canzonetta: Allegretto
08. 3. Andante espressivo
09. 4. Molto allegro e vivace
String Quartet In E Minor, Op.44, No.2, MWV R26
10. 1. Allegro assai appassionato
11. 2. Scherzo. Allegro di molto
12. 3. Andante
13. 4. Presto agitato
String Quartet In E Flat, Op.44, No.3, MWV R 28
14. 1. Allegro vivace
15. 2. Scherzo: Assai leggiero vivace
16. 3. Adagio non troppo
17. 4. Molto allegro con fuoco
String Quartet In D, Op.44, No.1, MWV R 30
18. 1. Molto allegro vivace
19. 2. Menuetto. Un poco allegro
20. 3. Andante espressivo ma con moto
21. 4. Presto con brio
Four Pieces For String Quartet, Op.81, MWV R 35
22. 3. Capriccio
String Quartet No.6 In F Minor, Op.80, MWV R 37
23. 1. Allegro vivace assai
24. 2. Allegro assai
25. 3. Adagio
26. 4. Finale: Allegro molto
Four Pieces For String Quartet, Op.81, MWV R 35
27. 1. Tema con Variazione
28. 2. Scherzo
String Quartet in E flat major, MWV R18
29. 1. Allegro moderato
30. 2. Adagio non troppo
31. 3. Minuetto – Trio – Minuetto
32. 4. Fuga
Octet In E Flat, Op.20, MWV R20
33. 1. Allegro moderato, ma con fuoco
34. 2. Andante
35. 3. Scherzo (Allegro leggierissimo)
36. 4. Presto
Octet In E Flat, Op.20, MWV R20 – Arr. For Four Parts
37. Scherzo (A)
38. Scherzo (B)
This set of the String Quartets of Mendelssohn may prove to be the most lasting contribution the Emerson Quartet has yet made to the string quartet discography. While the Emerson has always been slightly out of its depth in the quartets of Bartók, Beethoven, and Shostakovich, in the quartets of Mendelssohn, the Emerson has met its match. This is not to disparage either the Emerson Quartet, much less Mendelssohn. The Emerson is easily the finest string quartet in contemporary America, a supple ensemble with a warm tone, a strong technique, and an expressive manner.
And Mendelssohn is easily the finest of the German composers of the 1830s and 1840s, a polished composer with an inexhaustible imagination, an assured technique, and an ardent heart. Together, Mendelssohn and the Emerson are smart, stylish, witty, and touching. It is a pleasure to spend time in their company. While the vehemence of Bartók, the sublimity of Beethoven, and the agony of Shostakovich may be just beyond the reach of the Emerson, the humanity of Mendelssohn is well within its grasp. Deutsche Grammophon’s sound is clear, warm, and deep.