Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op.115 [32:41]
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
String Quartet in D major, K499 [24:25]
String Quartet in D major, K575 [22:40]
Stuyvesant Quartet
Alfred Gallodoro (clarinet)
rec. 4-5 December 1947 (Brahms), Majestic Theatre, New York City; 11 December
1951 (K499), 24 November 1951 (K575), Village Lutheran Church, Bronxville,
New York
BRIDGE 9397 [79:51]
In the post-war decade, as one of the first all-American string quartets,
the Stuyvesant led the way in America for such ensembles as the Juilliard,
Hollywood and Fine Arts. Whereas these three quartets are well represented
on disc, the Stuyvesants have been overlooked, somewhat. Yet some of their
recordings have found their way onto CD. This is the third
issue from the Bridge label; previous installment features works
by Malipiero, Debussy and Ravel (Bridge 9137) and the Boccherini guitar quintet (Bridge 9188 - see review). Also, Parnassus
have been in on the act with an exciting programme of Hindemith, Villa-Lobos
and Porter. There’s also an Historic
Recordings disc of Bloch (No. 1) and Shostakovich Piano Quintet.
Founded in 1938 by the two Shulman brothers - Sylvan the violinist and Alan
the cellist/composer - the quartet’s activities were severely curtailed
by the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1945, the brothers reformed the
quartet and changes in personnel welcomed Bernard Robbins as second violin
and Ralph Hersch as viola. This new line-up gave its first concert on 9 December
1945 with works by Hindemith, Shostakovich and Porter. Renowned for their
adventurous repertoire, emphasis was placed on the twentieth century. Yet
they did not neglect the standard classical repertoire. In 1950, due to dissatisfaction
with their recording company, they established their own ‘Philharmonia’
label, together with the legendary recording engineer Norman Pickering, who
was also a horn player. This enterprise was self-financed and the first fruits
of this commercial undertaking was a recording of Malipiero’s Rispetti
e Strambotti (String Quartet No. 1) in July 1950. For the next four years
they produced an eclectic mix but, as the Stuyvesant Quartet, recorded only six albums of which the two
Mozart Quartets featured here are a part; the Brahms Quintet hails from 1947.
They found their ideal recording venue in the Village Lutheran Church, Bronxville,
New York. Eventually, commercial considerations and more lucrative offers
resulted in the disbanding of the quartet and the demise of the Philharmonia
label in 1954.
The Brahms Clarinet Quintet was recorded in 1947, predating the Mozart Philharmonia
recordings, and thus lacking the advantage of the Bronxville acoustic. Nevertheless,
it is a fine version, fleet of foot, and sensitive in its realization. The
players manage to maintain the ebb and flow, and achieve the subtleties and
nuances of Brahms’ writing. Alfred Gallodoro is an ideal partner, perfectly
attuned to his colleagues’ interpretation. His playing is expressive
and eloquent. Balance between the clarinet and strings is satisfactory. Gallodoro’s
sound is not the most mellifluous, indeed some may find it lean. Those used
to the deep, rich and mellow sound of the likes of Reginald Kell and Jack
Brymer, with their more soft-textured tones, may find the vibrato-less clarinet
sound here rather dry.
The Bronxville acoustic affords the Mozart quartets a brighter, clearer and
more forward sound. These are well-polished performances, with intonation
always spot-on. Tempo and dynamics are well-judged. Tone and balance is ideal.
This aural improvement justifies the Stuyvesant’s decision to ‘go
it alone’ with their Philharmonia label. These are bright, sunny readings
imbued with charm and elegance. There is a definite sense of ensemble, with
the players listening to each other, subsuming their own personalities for
the good of the whole. One senses real passion here. I’ve lived with
this CD now for two weeks, and listened to it three or four times. What strikes
me is that the playing always sounds fresh.
There is no doubting that these recordings were, for the
Stuyvesants, a labour of love. At 80 minutes this is a generously well-filled
disc. The notes by Jay Shulman, Alan Shulman’s son, are excellent, informative
and very well written. I see they are a slightly condensed version of a fine
excellent article in CRC Summer 2005, which I would urge readers and collectors
of this publication to seek out. I would also issue a plea to Bridge to give
us more of this quartet’s recordings.
Stephen Greenbank
A generously well-filled disc. In short, a delight.
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