Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
String Quintet No 1 in B-flat major, K174 (1773) [23:40]
String Quintet No 2 in C minor, K406 (1787) [23:56]
Melos Quartet
Franz Beyer (viola)
rec. December 1987, Zentralsaal, Bamberg
Presto CD
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 423 697-2 [47:56]
This is another CD release by Presto Classics. It’s an exact facsimile, in this case, of a long-lost disc that appears not to be available in any other format. These are two less popular Mozart chamber works performed by a quartet, well regarded but probably not enjoying the highest reputation. That said, I have their fine complete Beethoven Quartets (DG) and a live recital from 1979 (SWR). Mozart’s two most famous String Quintets are K515 and K516, which are masterpieces. The present two may be less accomplished for various reasons, but are still worth hearing. As with some other Presto reissues, the original CDs were much shorter than usual today and this may detract from the present disc’s appeal at full price. The performances are really excellent and a sheer delight throughout.
K174 is Mozart’s first venture into composing string quintets of which there are six published. It was composed when he was aged 17 and influenced by Michael Haydn, Joseph Haydn’s younger brother. Mozart and Joseph later played violas when performing quintets and they both had a preference for this often maligned instrument. As the notes by Alec Hyatt King point out, there’s repeated, expressive interplay between the pairs of violins and violas. This developed into a Mozartian trademark and illustrates his strong abilities as a player. The first movement is a delightful Allegro and shows some considerable advancement over his early Quartet Divertimenti K136-8. It shows some similarity with Joseph Haydn’s contemporary quartets but has the distinctive Mozart “touch”. The playing of the enhanced ensemble is very proficient from the start but is entirely appropriate to youthful music. The Adagio is alluring and I love the interplay between the instruments which converse in a most appealing manner. I found the digital sound very appropriate with none of the “glare” that some recordings of that era were criticised for. In this movement one might foresee the violin concertos two years hence. Some versions on CD have alternative third and fourth movements as well as the original but that’s not the case here. The Menuetto ma allegro seems over very quickly but is full of Mozartian allure and the final Allegro goes with both vigour and the continued interplay of the violins and violas. If, like me, you don’t know this work, I do urge you to hear it. As well as hearing this excellent Melos version, I have complete sets by the augmented Grumiaux Trio (Philips) and The Amadeus Quartet (DG). Other compilations have been reviewed on this site.
K406, despite the late opus number, is in fact an arrangement of the Wind Serenade in C minor, K388 “Nachtmusik”. Whilst Mozart is adept at transcribing one format to another as a work it is not regarded as being on the same level as the two classics of the genre: K515 and K516. Listening to the way the Melos play the opening Allegro one can appreciate that it had been written for another combination if like me one was familiar with the Serenade original. The players seem totally inside the music and give a very committed performance. As well as the violins and violas, Peter Buck, the cellist is more in evidence. Possibly Mozart was influenced by a patron and cello player, The King of Prussia, to whom both he and Haydn dedicated quartets. There’s conviction and ‘rightness’ in the performance and one has a tangible sense of being present in live music-making. At first, it seems slightly strange hearing the Andante played by the string quintet rather than the wind combination of which Mozart was so adept. In fact, though, the playing overcomes such inhibitions and one can just relish the Viennese melody and Mozart’s genius for emotional tunes. The Melos are as one in the Menuetto in canone which is a tour de force and has an edge of steel. As so often, the Trio is beguiling and the success of this combination is that the addition of a second viola gives more opportunity for interplay than would be the case with a string quartet. The final Allegro brings this enchanting work to an appropriate conclusion with variations at which Mozart was so proficient and which I admire and enjoy greatly. It has such life-affirming vigour. I will continue to play the Wind Serenade original but it will be a great pleasure to return to this splendid performance.
This re-release is a success and it’s been a joy hearing these sometimes neglected works in dedicated performances. I would be very interested in hearing other Mozart readings by this ensemble who deserve great credit for this first class CD.
David R Dunsmore
Melos Quartet: Wilhelm Melcher (violin), Gerhard Voss (violin), Hermann Voss (viola), Peter Beyer (cello)
