Mozart: String Quartets, Vol. 1 - Prussian Quartets (2021)

Having concluded its Haydn cycle, the Doric String Quartet plunges into Mozart, beginning late in the composer's career with the three so-called "Prussian" string quartets. These are noted for having been written at the behest of a cello-playing nobleman, for whom Mozart wrote especially elaborate cello parts. Those are placed in the service of dense contrapuntal webs that pose unusual challenges for the performers. Should these quartets be severe? Light-hearted? There is quite a range, probably more than for the other ... Read More

Having concluded its Haydn cycle, the Doric String Quartet plunges into Mozart, beginning late in the composer's career with the three so-called "Prussian" string quartets. These are noted for having been written at the behest of a cello-playing nobleman, for whom Mozart wrote especially elaborate cello parts. Those are placed in the service of dense contrapuntal webs that pose unusual challenges for the performers. Should these quartets be severe? Light-hearted? There is quite a range, probably more than for the other Mozart quartets. The Doric String Quartet is sparing on the vibrato but in other respects offers strikingly expressive readings, sometimes varying the tempo slightly. Listen to the Minuet of the String Quartet in F major, K. 590, with its rubato in the quiet violin opening statement and the big, crushing consequent. The quartet does not overdo the tempo rubato; it is more a question of small adjustments applied so that the music seems to breathe. This is Mozart that looks forward to the... Read Less