String Quartet No. 12 in F major American, Op. 96, B.179

Molto vivace


  • Recorded: 30th June 2010
  • Record Place: The Dvořák Hall of Rudolfinum, Prague
  • First Release: 2010
  • (P) 2010 SUPRAPHON a.s.
  • Genre: Chamber Music

Artists

  • music by: Antonín Dvořák
  • musical group: Pavel Haas Quartet

Album

Pavel Haas Quartet

Dvořák: String Quartets in G Major, Op. 106 & F Major, Op. 96 "American"

Catalogue Number: SU 4038-1
Published: 2nd November 2018
Genre: Chamber Music
Format: 2 LP
This album has received following awards:
  • Disc of the Month, BBC Music Magazine (2010)
  • Album of the Week, Sunday Times (2010)
  • Disc of the Month, ClassicsToday.com (2011)
  • Gramophone Chamber Award (2011)
  • Gramophone Award - Recording of the Year (2011)
Antonín Dvořák - String Quartet No. 13 in G major, Op. 106 (B. 192, 1895), String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96 "American" (B. 179, 1893)

Veronika Jarůšková - 1st violin, Eva Karová - 2nd violin, Pavel Nikl - viola, Peter Jarůšek - cello

This recording, although relatively new, is one of the rarest gems in the Supraphon archives. After the initial positive reactions (BBC Music Magazine Recording of the Month, Sunday Times Album of the Week), the extraordinary quality of the recording was confirmed by prestigious Gramophone Awards; in addition to winning the chamber music category, the young ensemble also brought home from London the top prize: Recording of the Year. Eight years after the first edition on CD, Supraphon is releasing a delicacy for true audiophiles: 2 LPs pressed on180g virgin vinyl (using DMM cutting technology) supplement with a digital version of the recording in Hi-Res audio format.
Dvořák's mature works perhaps best mirror the ensemble's extraordinary qualities: the equilibrium between precision and spontaneity, the remarkable ensemble playing, and the solo potential of all of the individual players. At the end of the draft of his Quartet Op. 96, Antonín Dvořák wrote the comment: "I'm satisfied; it went quickly…". Soon after the "New World Symphony", he composed one of the most beautiful of all string quartets while still in America - and the critics were unsparing in their praise. For the Pavel Haas Quartet, both the "American" Quartet and the following Quartet Op. 106, the first work composed after the composer's return home from America, are literally affairs of the heart. According to the Sunday Times: "In this repertoire, they are simply matchless today". Dvořák might even have written his comment "I'm satisfied" about this recording as well.

Pavel Haas Quartet / Dvořák - a legendary, peerless recording - first issue on vinyl and in Hi-Res

Reviews

“The Pavel Haas players revel in the turbulence of the opening movement, but they savour the lyricism of the beautiful adagio, the rhythmic energy of the scherzo and the exuberance of the finale’s fiery allegro. Their account of the American Quartet belongs alongside the greatest performances on disc. In this repertoire, they are simply matchless today.”
The Sunday Times, 14th November 2010

“The Pavel Haas Quartet play with plenty of feeling and they also relish the rhythmic cut and thrust of the Molto vivace third movement, capturing to perfection the more relaxed Trio's sunny spirit.The final opens to a gentle smile then keys up for some dancing exuberance … there's an abundance of varied drama.”
Gramophone, December 2010

“Throughout, their understanding of the musical argument is exemplary … at every stage the performers respond with both passion and a clear feeling for musical line… In truth, there are so many details that delight the ear it would be almost impossible to list the all.”
BBC Music Magazine, December 2010

“The freshness of the Pavel Haas Quartet's sound and approach is in the main a perfect match for this music: its wide-ranging palette, from intimate whispers to grander, symphonic gestures, is aptly deployed. Its tone is in general sweetly blended, homogenous and with obvious close rapport.”
International Record Review, December 2010

“There's an arresting energy and atmosphere to the performances and they certainly contain new perspectives … the product is beautifully presented.”
Classic FM, January 2011

LP 1

Antonín Dvořák
String Quartet No. 13 in G major, Op. 106, B.192
1. Allegro moderato 09:19
2. Adagio ma non troppo 10:17
3. Molto vivace 06:26
4. Finale. Andante sostenuto. Allegro con fuoco 10:42

LP 2

Antonín Dvořák
String Quartet No. 12 in F major American, Op. 96, B.179
1. Allegro ma non troppo 09:38
2. Lento 07:18
3. Molto vivace 03:56
4. Finale - Vivace ma non troppo 05:32