These are by any measure two ambitious romantic
era works. Ambition is one thing of course consummation another.
While the notes make much of Fuchs's status as
a Brahms acolyte in fact the spirited music of the First Quartet
is more likely to remind the listener of Beethoven in the Archduke
or Ghost trios or Spring Sonata. A sleepy Brahmsian
aplomb shines out in quiet spoken wisdom from the Adagio of
the First Quartet. The Second Quartet is haunted and a shade nostalgically
affectionate. It is reminiscent a little of the Fauré Piano
Quartets. Certainly the atmosphere of this 1904 work differs markedly
from its companion. After a lively scherzo comes a surgingly high-romantic
allegro comodo. Fuchs, who taught Wolf, Mahler, Zemlinsky,
Sibelius, Schmidt, Schreker, Korngold and Bittner, was not short
of melodic invention either and it is usually of fine quality.
His style and place in musical history is comparable with that
of Stanford.
I fervently hope that there will be more Fuchs
discs from this source. I happily recommend this disc very strongly.
It will appeal to those with a passion for vintage romantically
yearning classical era music. Triendl and Adorjans do full justice
to this confidently expressive music.
Rob Barnett
Oliver Triendl (piano)