The Leipzig Quartet here embark upon a Mendelssohn
odyssey, for this is the first volume in a complete survey. The signs
are certainly encouraging, as perhaps they should be from former members
of the Gewandhaus Orchestra, which Mendelssohn himself conducted with
such distinction.
Although the sense of ensemble remains strong, both
these works give ample opportunities for the individual players to make
their mark. Inevitably the performances demand comparison with those
so recently issued on ASV by the Vellinger Quartet, and in truth there
is little to choose between the two ensembles. Certainly clarity of
texture is a higher priority in the present performance, perhaps because
the MDG recording is closer and sharper in focus than that provided
by ASV. There is room for each approach, however, and the more blended
sound of ASV-Vellinger has abundant beauties and felicities, even if
the Leipzig Quartet score when it comes to points of detail, with the
virtuosity of individual players allocated a higher priority in the
recorded balance. Swings and roundabouts, then.
On a couple of points ASV triumphs hands down, however.
It seems wholly illogical for the MDG disc to feature Opus 13 first
on the programme and Opus 12 second. Perhaps some nice point or other
was being made, but for the ordinary mortal it makes no sense. And with
tempi and repeats policies essentially much the same, ASV does offer
an attractive additional item, the E flat Fugue, Opus 81 No. 4.
Terry Barfoot