Kodály Quartet

“The Kodaly Quartet's lucidity is uncommon, especially on the great Opus 131, Beethoven's own favourite.” Ottawa Citizen, 29th December 2001

“From the somewhat cautious yet expansive initial bars of the Adagio grows a performance of passion and dramatic momentum. The unity of purpose and ensemble in the opening movement is especially striking, as is the rich warmth given to the second subject material. The Presto second movement is played with skill and precision and the contrasting moods of the ensuing Andante are explored with the utmost conviction. These performers adopt a more light-hearted carefree approach than many to the eloquent Alla danza tedesca, but they capture the passionate intensity of the tender, heartfelt Cavatina with spacious, unhurried playing of deep expressive penetration and perform the jolly substitute finale with strikingly rhythmic vitality and clear articulation. Their powerful rugged version of the monumental, often enigmatic Grosse Fuge is searching and perceptive. Their ensemble is consistently polished notably in the various dramatic recitatives and bold unison passages, and their refreshingly direct spontaneous yet highly concentrated interpretation builds to an expansive and triumphant climax. Although this would not represent my first-choice recording of opp. 130 and 133 - that accolade is reserved for The Lindsays on ASV - these performances are highly commendable. The sound quality is more than adequate and the Naxos package otters excellent value for money.” The Strad, February 2001

“The Kodaly is a very precise and clear reading. The playing is very fine, and the very introspective 'Heiliger Dankgesang' emerges slowly and progresses subtly. ... The Naxos recording has a great transcription by Beethoven of his Piano Sonata No. 9, published in 1802, shortly after his first set of quartets. He disguises the piece's pianistic origins in string quartet clothing resembling the style of the Opus 18 set.” American Record Guide, July/August 2001

“the selections are some of the best miniatures I've heard, and they'll gladden you inexpensively. What more can you ask?” American Record Guide, July/August 2000

“In short these are performances which convey the players' affection with this wonderful music.” Penguin Guide

“Slow movements are serene and quietly musical.” Penguin Guide

“Overshadowed by four dozen later masterpieces, Haydn's Op 9 has usually received short shrift from players and commentators. The most familiar is the D minor, No 4, described by Hans Keller as 'the first great string quartet in the history of music'. The minor mode at this period (1769-70) invariably drew something special from Haydn, and this work stands apart from the others for its intensity of expression, its mastery of texture and development and the sheer character of its ideas. The opening Allegro moderato could well have been at the back of Mozart's mind when he came to write his own great D minor Quartet, K421. The Kodály Quartet is, as ever, a sympathetic Haydn exponent, impressing with its slightly old-fashioned warmth of sonority, the natural musicality of its phrasing and care for blend, balance and intonation, though the boomy church acoustic hardly helps.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“As ever they [the Kodaly Quartet] are sympathetic Haydn exponents.” Gramophone Magazine