Pražák Quartet - Ludwig van Beethoven - String Quartets Vol 1 - Praga Digitals PRD/DSD 250 183 (2003) SACD rip via PS3 to iso (3.2GB) | 24bit/88.2kHz flac | Mch (1.29GB) (+6dB gain) | 2ch (1.29GB) DR15 (+6dB gain) | Classical The last of the 3 I have available. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Maybe it's the water (or the beer), but Czech string quartets always seem to be disproportionately represented among the world's leading ensembles. The Pražák, in concert & on disc, has amply merited its strong reputation, further solidified by its Beethoven series, of which this disc of 3 Op. 18 quartets is the latest. Although this is labeled Volume 1, Volume 2, which includes Op. 18 Nos. 2, 3, & 6, has been out for a while & received a glowing 10/10 review from my colleague, Victor Carr Jr (to read that review, please type Q5714 in Search Reviews). Well, here's another enthusiastic recommendation. Throughout, the Pražáks project genuine Beethovenian dramatic tension, well-balanced, rich-toned ensemble sound, alert rhythmic sense, & driving, forward-moving energy effectively leavened when necessary, as in the Adagio of #1, with tenderness shadowed by hints of the tragic. Every so often I wondered whether the Pražáks were slamming a bit too hard on the gas pedal, ŕ la the Emersons, but 1 or 2 rehearings convinced me that their stance was appropriate. Also especially winning are the 1st violin in the soloistic 1st movement of #4 & the naturalness with which the ensemble handles the quicksilver mood changes sprinkled throughout these quartets, such as those in the 1st movement of Op. 18 #1, where each episode is clearly delineated. If I were backed against a wall & forced to say something negative, it might be that a bit more geniality & humour should be present in these early quartets so strongly influenced by Mozart & Haydn, but that's barely a noticeable speck on the Pražák's accomplishment here. The sound is 1st-rate, well-balanced, with you-are-there presence. A note on the back of the disc says it is a hybrid SACD, further identified as "Stereo Bi-Channel". I thought "stereo" meant "bi-channel" but I guess it just drives home the fact that this isn't a surround-sound recording, which should give no one any pause at all. Be assured that whatever unit you play this disc on, you'll hear excellent performances in 1st-rate sound. ~Dan Davis, ClassicsToday.com Tracks: String Quartets op.18,'Lobkowitz Quartets' 01-String Quartet in C minor, op.18 No.4 - First Movement - Allegro ma non tanto 02-String Quartet in C minor, op.18 No.4 - Second Movement - Scherzo 03-String Quartet in C minor, op.18 No.4 - Third Movement - Menuetto 04-String Quartet in C minor, op.18 No.4 - Fourth Movement - Allegro. Prestissimo 05-String Quartet in A, op.18 No.5 - First Movement - Allegro 06-String Quartet in A, op.18 No.5 - Second Movement - Menuetto 07-String Quartet in A, op.18 No.5 - Third Movement - Andante cantabile 08-String Quartet in A, op.18 No.5 - Fourth Movement - Allegro 09-String Quartet in F, op.18 No.1 - First Movement - Allegro con brio 10-String Quartet in F, op.18 No.1 - Second Movement - Adagio affetuoso ed appassionato 11-String Quartet in F, op.18 No.1 - Third Movement - Scherzo 12-String Quartet in F, op.18 No.1 - Fourth Movement - Allegro Time: 79:32 Musicians: Pražák Quartet Václav Remes, violin Vlastimil Holek, violin Josef Kluson, viola Michal Kanka, cello http://www.filefactory.com/folder/67a74676e61816c7 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Checksum for iso: 42747a2ebf6bffd7a66608e2da608743 *Prazak Quartet - BEETHOVEN - String Quartets.iso