Mendelssohn: Complete Chamber Music for Strings 4

Between joy and petulance, effervescent rhythms and melodic generosity, this acute and electric reading is immediately seductive…the Mandelring are lacking in neither character nor determination — Diapason, June 2017, 5 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 7th Apr 2014
Catalogue No: AUDITE92659
Label: Audite
Series: Mendelssohn Complete Chamber Music for Strings
Length: 69 minutes

Gramophone Magazine

September 2014

Editor's Choice

Mendelssohn: String Quintet No. 1 in A major, Op. 18

Work length30:06

$7.00

$9.05

Gunter Teuffel
Mandelring Quartet

I. Allegro con moto

Track length11:18

$3.00

$3.85

II. Intermezzo. Andante sostenuto

Track length8:13

$2.00

$2.60

III. Scherzo. Allegro di molto

Track length4:37

$1.00

$1.30

IV. Allegro vivace

Track length5:58

$1.00

$1.30

Mendelssohn: String Quintet No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 87

Work length27:36

$6.00

$7.80

Gunter Teuffel
Mandelring Quartet

I. Allegro vivace

Track length9:39

$2.00

$2.60

II. Andante scherzando

Track length3:58

$1.00

$1.30

III. Adagio e lento

Track length8:13

$2.00

$2.60

IV. Allegro molto vivace

Track length5:46

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Mendelssohn: Four pieces for String Quartet, Op. 81

Work length5:38

$1.00

$1.30

Mandelring Quartet

Capriccio in E Minor, Op. 81, No. 3, MWV R32

Track length5:38

$1.00

$1.30

Mendelssohn: Fugue in E-Flat Major, Op. 81, No. 4, MWV R23

Work length6:02

$1.00

$1.30

Mandelring Quartet

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This album brings to a close Audite’s complete recordings of Mendelssohn’s Chamber Music for Strings with the Mandelring Quartett. Sitting alongside the better-known, substantial body of eight works for string quartet and the Octet Op. 20, Mendelssohn’s quintets for two violins, two violas and cello are often overlooked. This recording proves that this is mostly to do with the genre, and less so with the works themselves, both of which are significant compositions.

The Quintet in A major Op. 18 was written in 1826, during Mendelssohn’s period of apprenticeship in Berlin, which provided the atmosphere and venue, not only for Lea Mendelssohn’s famous salon, but also for musical performances. Mendelssohn was mostly guided by Mozart for his first quintet; in the charm of his melodic ideas, in the transparent sonorities of an ensemble with double violas, and in the contrapuntally concentrated network of themes and motifs.

It would take nearly two decades for Mendelssohn to return to the string quintet genre. The Quintet in B flat major reflects his symphonic experience. The first violin opens the piece, soaring with orchestral might over the trembling lower voices into a jubilant first theme – this atmosphere is maintained in the outer movements and, in the inner movements, contrasted with more intimate colours.

The two single movements for string quartet from the posthumous collection of 'Four Pieces for String Quartet' Op. 81 – the Capriccio of 1843 and a youthful Fugue – complete this estimable recording series.

Reviews

Diapason June 2017

Between joy and petulance, effervescent rhythms and melodic generosity, this acute and electric reading is immediately seductive…the Mandelring are lacking in neither character nor determination

September 2014

Everything the Mandelrings have to throw at these pieces shows them to their best advantage - fleet-footed bowing, tongue-in-groove intonation and ensemble, and a sense of momentum that always drives the music in the right direction. The definitive set is complete.

October 2014

These are precision engineered performances … They create the ideal sound world.

Mendelssohn: Complete Chamber Music for Strings 4

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