Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
String Quartet in G Major, K387 (1782) [29:07]
Divertimento in F Major, K138 (1772) [10:09]
String Quartet in D Minor, K421 (1783) [27:03]
Quatuor Van Kuijk
rec. April 2019, Teldex Studio, Berlin
ALPHA CLASSICS 551 [67:24]
Here we have an up-and-coming quartet playing the first two of Mozart’s “Haydn Quartets” written in response to the older composer’s innovative Op. 33. There are many fine recordings of these works and I greatly value those by the Talich (Calliope), the Italians (Philips), Alban Berg (Teldec and Warners) and perhaps most those by the Lindsays (ASV). These quartets, and the Amadeus (DG), use far more vibrato than is common these days. I think its fair to say that the Van Kuijk have a cleaner sound even if they lack the warmth of the older recordings. This is the second Mozart CD in the short career of this young French quartet and as former “BBC Young Artists of the Year” (2015-17) I had more than one reason to anticipate this disc with pleasure. If anything this was much more than fulfilled.
K387, the first mature quartet by Mozart, is one of my favourites. It has become very familiar over the thirty years since I first heard the set by the Quartetto Italiano (Philips). Quatuor Van Kuijk play with great finesse and once I got used to the sound, I enjoyed their performance. The second movement Menuetto, with its changing dynamics, is very effective and shows these players acting as one; which is as should be. I like too, the plaintive strains in the development. The acoustics of these Berlin studios suit the sound of the group and capture touches which older recordings failed to. These musicians seem to have recognised the need for intimate qualities in quartet playing and this comes out sympathetically in the sublime Andante Cantabile. I recall hearing a French quartet in concert about twenty years ago who were technically superb but left me cold; this is certainly not the case here. The Van Kuijk have a real sense of the humour that permeates these works and Haydn as well. For a vivid example, take the final Molto Allegro. I don’t want to rank this with past performers but I do urge lovers of chamber music to hear this.
Divertimento K138, written when Mozart was 16, came at about the time of the opera Lucio Silla. This is one of three that are, in effect, reduced string serenades. They are not really quartets in the established sense as they can be played by larger forces … and often are. K138 is, however, a pleasant piece and doesn’t overstay its welcome, particularly the charming Andante. In her excellent notes Stéphane Goldet suggests that the Van Kuijks are giving us the impression that Mozart is anticipating Die Entführung aus dem Serail of 1782.
K421 starts with much force, showing similarities to Don Giovanni in the opening Allegro Moderato. The key movement is the transcendent Andante. On occasion, I have played several versions of this one after another and I’m glad to say the Van Kuijks are top class. I would use this movement to argue against those who felt Mozart wasn’t at his best in the quartet medium. The strident Menuetto Allegretto, with its nod towards Boccherini, is perfectly captured and the quartet ends most happily with the Allegretto ma non troppo.
This is a superb disc of Mozart quartet playing and despite the competition, it should be required listening to all lovers of chamber music and of Mozart. Their previous Mozart disc of K428 and K465 will certainly be on my shopping list. I will be following their progress with great interest.
David R Dunsmore
Performers
Nicolas Van Kuijk (violin 1), Sylvain Favre-Bulle (violin 2), Emmanuel François (viola), François Robin (cello)
