Czech String Quartets

Czech String Quartets
Composer Antonín Dvorák, Bedrich Smetana, Bohuslav Martinu, Leoš Janácek
Artist Stamitz Quartet
Bohuslav Matoušek first violin
Josef Kekula second violin
Jan Peruška viola
Vladimír Leixner cello
Format 15 CD
Cat. number 9410
EAN code 5029365941020
Release May 2013

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About this release

This extensive collection brings together the complete string quartets of Czech composers Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich Smetana, Leoš Janáček and Bohuslav Martinů.

Those by Dvořák chart the evolution of his style, from his interest in Wagnerian music in the years prior to 1870 – String Quartet in D major – to the folk-infused works of his later life, such as the String Quartet in G major Op.106, and show the influence of his time in the United States, with the String Quartet in F Op.96 ‘American’. The quartets of Smetana have a distinctive neo-classical flavour while those of Janáček show strong links to his operatic works. Prolific composer Bohuslav Martinů composed six quartets, of which two were mislaid during the war. One of these, his fifth string quartet, is widely considered to be one of the most pivotal works in the composer’s oeuvre, written in 1938, a year of much upheaval in Martinů’s life. Many of the quartets in the collection hold an emotional dimension, all of which are exquisitely brought to life by the Stamitz Quartet.

Established in 1985, the Stamitz Quartet quickly became known as leading interpreters of Czech repertory. Winners of the 1986 National Broadcasting Union Competition in Salzburg, the Quartet’s rise to fame was meteoric; they have since participated in tours throughout Europe and America and undertaken a variety of recording projects, of which this collection is one.

Other information:
- Recorded between 1987 and 1993.
- For the first time together in one collection: the complete string quartets of Dvorak, Smetana, Janacek and Martinu!
- Though differing stylistically (Dvorak highly romantic and melodious, Smetana classical but deeply personal (“From My Life”), Janacek intimately speaking about love and tenderness, Martinu vibrant, colourful and exuberant), they share their Bohemian roots in a common heartfelt passion and love for the folklore of their country.
- Excellent performances by the Stamitz Quartet, “natives” with the same musical genes as the composers.
- The booklet provides extensive liner notes for each work.

Track list

Disk 1

  1. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, B. 18: I. Allegro con brio
  2. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, B. 18: II. Andantino
  3. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, B. 18: III. Allegro energico
  4. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, B. 18: IV. Finale: Allegretto

Disk 2

  1. Antonín Dvorák: Quartet No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 4, B. 17: I. Allegro non troppo
  2. Antonín Dvorák: Quartet No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 4, B. 17: II. Largo
  3. Antonín Dvorák: Quartet No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 4, B. 17: III. Allegro con brio
  4. Antonín Dvorák: Quartet No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 4, B. 17: IV. Finale: Andante – Allegro giusto – Allegro con fuoco
  5. Antonín Dvorák: Andante appassionato, B. 40a

Disk 3

  1. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 8 in E Major, Op. 80, B. 57: I. Allegro
  2. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 8 in E Major, Op. 80, B. 57: II. Andante con moto
  3. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 8 in E Major, Op. 80, B. 57: III. Allegretto scherzando
  4. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 8 in E Major, Op. 80, B. 57: IV. Finale: Allegro con brio
  5. Antonín Dvorák: Echo of Songs, B. 152: I. Moderato (I Know That on My Love to Thee)
  6. Antonín Dvorák: Echo of Songs, B. 152: II. Allegro ma non troppo (In Many a Heart Is Death)
  7. Antonín Dvorák: Echo of Songs, B. 152: III. Andante con moto (In the Sweet Power of Your Eyes)
  8. Antonín Dvorák: Echo of Songs, B. 152: IV. Poco adagio (Oh, Our Love Will Not Bloom into That Long Wished-For Happiness)
  9. Antonín Dvorák: Echo of Songs, B. 152: V. Andante (Here I Search for Your Dear Letter)
  10. Antonín Dvorák: Echo of Songs, B. 152: VI. Andante moderato (Oh, Golden Charming Rose)
  11. Antonín Dvorák: Echo of Songs, B. 152: VII. Andante con moto (I Lurch Around the House)
  12. Antonín Dvorák: Echo of Songs, B. 152: VIII. Lento (Here in the Depths of the Forest)
  13. Antonín Dvorák: Echo of Songs, B. 152: IX. Moderato (Oh, dear soul, only one)
  14. Antonín Dvorák: Echo of Songs, B. 152: X. Andante maestoso (There Stands an Ancient Rock)
  15. Antonín Dvorák: Echo of Songs, B. 152: XI. Allegro scherzando (Nature Is Held in Light Sleep)
  16. Antonín Dvorák: Echo of Songs, B. 152: XII. Allegro animato (You Ask Why My Songs)

Disk 4

  1. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 4 in E Minor, B. 19: I. Assai con moto ed energico
  2. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 4 in E Minor, B. 19: II. Andante religioso
  3. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 4 in E Minor, B. 19: III. Allegro con brio
  4. Antonín Dvorák: Quartet movement in F Major, B. 120

Disk 5

  1. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 5 in F Minor, Op. 9, B. 37: I. Moderato
  2. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 5 in F Minor, Op. 9, B. 37: II. Andante con moto quasi allegretto
  3. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 5 in F Minor, Op. 9, B. 37: III. Tempo di valse
  4. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 5 in F Minor, Op. 9, B. 37: IV. Finale: Allegro molto
  5. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 6 in A Minor, Op. 12, B. 40: I. Allegro ma non troppo
  6. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 6 in A Minor, Op. 12, B. 40: II. Poco allegro
  7. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 6 in A Minor, Op. 12, B. 40: III. Poco adagio
  8. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 6 in A Minor, Op. 12, B. 40: IV. Finale: Allegro molto

Disk 6

  1. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 1 in A Major Op. 2, B. 8: I. Andante – Allegro
  2. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 1 in A Major Op. 2, B. 8: II. Andante affetuoso ed appassionato
  3. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 1 in A Major Op. 2, B. 8: III. Allegro scherzando
  4. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 1 in A Major Op. 2, B. 8: IV. Finale: Allegro animato
  5. Antonín Dvorák: Terzetto in C Major for Two Violins & Viola, Op. 74, B. 148: I. Introduzione: Allegro ma non troppo
  6. Antonín Dvorák: Terzetto in C Major for Two Violins & Viola, Op. 74, B. 148: II. Larghetto
  7. Antonín Dvorák: Terzetto in C Major for Two Violins & Viola, Op. 74, B. 148: III. Scherzo: Vivace
  8. Antonín Dvorák: Terzetto in C Major for Two Violins & Viola, Op. 74, B. 148: IV. Thema con variazioni

Disk 7

  1. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 11 in C Major, Op. 61, B. 121: I. Allegro
  2. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 11 in C Major, Op. 61, B. 121: II. Poco adagio e molto cantabile
  3. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 11 in C Major, Op. 61, B. 121: III. Scherzo
  4. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 11 in C Major, Op. 61, B. 121: IV. Finale: Vivace
  5. Antonín Dvorák: Two Waltzes, Op. 54, B. 105: No. 1. Moderato
  6. Antonín Dvorák: Two Waltzes, Op. 54, B. 105: No. 2. Allegro vivace

Disk 8

  1. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 34, B. 75: I. Allegro
  2. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 34, B. 75: II. Alla Polka
  3. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 34, B. 75: III. Adagio
  4. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 34, B. 75: IV. Finale: Poco allegro
  5. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 7 in A Minor, Op. 16, B. 45: I. Allegro ma non troppo
  6. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 7 in A Minor, Op. 16, B. 45: II. Andante cantabile
  7. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 7 in A Minor, Op. 16, B. 45: III. Allegro scherzando
  8. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 7 in A Minor, Op. 16, B. 45: IV. Finale: Allegro ma non troppo

Disk 9

  1. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 10 in E-Flat Major, Op. 51, B. 92 ‘Slavonic’: I. Allegro ma non troppo
  2. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 10 in E-Flat Major, Op. 51, B. 92 ‘Slavonic’: II. Dumka (Elegia): Andante con moto
  3. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 10 in E-Flat Major, Op. 51, B. 92 ‘Slavonic’: III. Romanza: Andante con moto
  4. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 10 in E-Flat Major, Op. 51, B. 92 ‘Slavonic’: IV. Finale: Allegro assai
  5. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 14 in A-Flat Major, Op. 105, B. 193: I. Adagio ma non troppo allegro appassionato
  6. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 14 in A-Flat Major, Op. 105, B. 193: II. Molto vivace
  7. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 14 in A-Flat Major, Op. 105, B. 193: III. Lento e molto cantabile
  8. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 14 in A-Flat Major, Op. 105, B. 193: IV. Allegro non tanto

Disk 10

  1. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96, B. 179 ‘American’: I. Allegro ma non troppo
  2. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96, B. 179 ‘American’: II. Lento
  3. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96, B. 179 ‘American’: III. Molto vivace
  4. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96, B. 179 ‘American’: IV. Finale: Vivace ma non troppo
  5. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 13 in G Major, Op. 106, B. 192: I. Allegro moderato
  6. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 13 in G Major, Op. 106, B. 192: II. Adagio ma non troppo
  7. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 13 in G Major, Op. 106, B. 192: III. Molto vivace
  8. Antonín Dvorák: String Quartet No. 13 in G Major, Op. 106, B. 192: IV. Finale: Andante sostenuto – Allegro con fuoco

Disk 11

  1. Bedrich Smetana: String Quartet No. 1 in E Minor, JB 1:105 ‘From my Life’: I. Allegro vivo appassionato
  2. Bedrich Smetana: String Quartet No. 1 in E Minor, JB 1:105 ‘From my Life’: II. Allegro moderato a la Polka
  3. Bedrich Smetana: String Quartet No. 1 in E Minor, JB 1:105 ‘From my Life’: III. Largo sostenuto
  4. Bedrich Smetana: String Quartet No. 1 in E Minor, JB 1:105 ‘From my Life’: IV. Vivace
  5. Bedrich Smetana: String Quartet No. 2 in D Minor, JB 1:124: I. Allegro
  6. Bedrich Smetana: String Quartet No. 2 in D Minor, JB 1:124: II. Allegro moderato
  7. Bedrich Smetana: String Quartet No. 2 in D Minor, JB 1:124: III. Allegro non più moderato
  8. Bedrich Smetana: String Quartet No. 2 in D Minor, JB 1:124: IV. Finale: Presto

Disk 12

  1. Leoš Janácek: String Quartet No. 1, JWV 11/8 ‘Kreutzer Sonata’: I. Adagio
  2. Leoš Janácek: String Quartet No. 1, JWV 11/8 ‘Kreutzer Sonata’: II. Con moto
  3. Leoš Janácek: String Quartet No. 1, JWV 11/8 ‘Kreutzer Sonata’: III. Con moto – Vivo – Andante
  4. Leoš Janácek: String Quartet No. 1, JWV 11/8 ‘Kreutzer Sonata’: IV. Con moto (adagio) – Più mosso
  5. Leoš Janácek: String Quartet No. 2, J WV11/13 ‘Intimate Letters’: I. Andante – Con moto – Allegro
  6. Leoš Janácek: String Quartet No. 2, J WV11/13 ‘Intimate Letters’: II. Adagio – Vivace
  7. Leoš Janácek: String Quartet No. 2, J WV11/13 ‘Intimate Letters’: III. Moderato – Adagio – Allegro
  8. Leoš Janácek: String Quartet No. 2, J WV11/13 ‘Intimate Letters’: IV. Allegro – Andante – Adagio

Disk 13

  1. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 1, H. 117 ‘The French’: I. Moderato – Allegro ma non troppo
  2. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 1, H. 117 ‘The French’: II. Andante moderato
  3. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 1, H. 117 ‘The French’: III. Allegro non troppo
  4. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 1, H. 117 ‘The French’: IV. Allegro con brio
  5. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 2, H. 150: I. Moderato – Allegro vivace
  6. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 2, H. 150: II. Andante
  7. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 2, H. 150: III. Allegro
  8. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 3, H. 183: I. Allegro
  9. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 3, H. 183: II. Andante
  10. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 3, H. 183: III. Vivo

Disk 14

  1. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 4 in D Major, H. 256: I. Allegro poco moderato
  2. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 4 in D Major, H. 256: II. Allegro scherzando
  3. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 4 in D Major, H. 256: III. Adagio
  4. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 4 in D Major, H. 256: IV. Allegro
  5. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 5, H. 268: I. Allegro ma non troppo
  6. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 5, H. 268: II Adagio
  7. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 5, H. 268: III. Allegro vivo
  8. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 5, H. 268: IV. Lento – Allegro
  9. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 6, H. 312: I. Allegro moderato
  10. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 6, H. 312: II. Andante
  11. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 6, H. 312: III. Allegro

Disk 15

  1. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 7 ‘Concerto da Camera’, H. 314: I. Poco allegro
  2. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 7 ‘Concerto da Camera’, H. 314: II. Andante
  3. Bohuslav Martinu: String Quartet No. 7 ‘Concerto da Camera’, H. 314: III. Allegro vivo
  4. Bohuslav Martinu: Duo No. 1 ‘3 Madrigals’, H. 313 for Violin and Viola: I. Poco allegro
  5. Bohuslav Martinu: Duo No. 1 ‘3 Madrigals’, H. 313 for Violin and Viola: II. Poco andante
  6. Bohuslav Martinu: Duo No. 1 ‘3 Madrigals’, H. 313 for Violin and Viola: III. Allegro
  7. Bohuslav Martinu: String Trio No. 2, H. 238: I. Allegro
  8. Bohuslav Martinu: String Trio No. 2, H. 238: II. Poco moderato