Dvorak – String Quartet Op 96, Smetana – String Quartet in E minor (APE)

Composer: Antonin Dvorak, Bedrich Smetana
Performer: Alban Berg Quartet
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: EMI Classics
Size: 216 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: no

# String Quartet No. 12 in F major (“American”), B. 179 (Op. 96)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
with Alban Berg Quartet

# String Quartet No. 1 in E minor (“Z mého, zivota,” “From My Life”), JB 1:105
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
with Alban Berg Quartet

01. String Quartet No. 12 in F major B179 (Op. 96), “American”: I. Allegro ma non troppo
02. String Quartet No. 12 in F major B179 (Op. 96), “American”: II. Lento
03. String Quartet No. 12 in F major B179 (Op. 96), “American”: III. Molto vivace
04. String Quartet No. 12 in F major B179 (Op. 96), “American”: IV. Finale (Vivace ma non troppo)
05. String Quartet No. 1 in E minor, “From my life”: I. Allegro vivo appassionato
06. String Quartet No. 1 in E minor, “From my life”: II. Allegro moderato à la Polka
07. String Quartet No. 1 in E minor, “From my life”: III. Largo sostenuto
08. String Quartet No. 1 in E minor, “From my life”: IV. Vivace

Great for Non-Experts

I’m only a dabbler in classical music – I own may 2 dozen classical CD’s total.

But this is at the top of the list. I can’t get enough of it; when I put it on I have to stop what I’m doing and just have to sit down and listen – and this after many many re-playings.

Sorry I don’t have the vocabulary or knowledge to explain why this one is so good. But if you’re looking for your first string 4tet experience, this one certainly worked for me!