Foerster: The Complete String Quartets

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Foerster’s little-known chamber oeuvre comes as a revelation, especially in performances as committed as these. The Bohemian melodic inspiration is unmistakable, as is the autumnal wistfulness... — Financial Times, 11th September 2010, 5 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 9th Aug 2010
Catalogue No: SU40502
Label: Supraphon
Length: 2 hours 12 minutes

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Foerster, J: String Quartet No.1 in E Major, Op. 15

Work length26:40

$3.20

$4.20

Stamic Quartet

I. Allegro

Track length9:46

$0.80

$1.05

II. Scherzo

Track length3:43

$0.80

$1.05

III. Adagio

Track length6:19

$0.80

$1.05

IV. Allegro con brio

Track length6:52

$0.80

$1.05

Foerster, J: String Quartet No. 2 in D major, Op. 39

Work length28:27

$2.40

$3.15

Stamic Quartet

I. Lento - Allegro

Track length8:16

$0.80

$1.05

II. Andante

Track length7:16

$0.80

$1.05

III. Andantino

Track length12:55

$0.80

$1.05

Foerster, J: String Quartet No. 3 in C major, Op. 61

Work length15:35

$0.80

$1.05

Stamic Quartet

Foerster, J: String Quartet No. 4 in F major, Op. 182

Work length22:10

$2.40

$3.15

Stamic Quartet

I. Allegro grazioso

Track length8:16

$0.80

$1.05

II. Adagio cantabile - Allegretto malinconico

Track length8:27

$0.80

$1.05

III. Allegro

Track length5:27

$0.80

$1.05

Foerster, J: String Quartet No. 5 in G Major "The Vestec"

Work length16:16

$2.40

$3.15

Stamic Quartet

I. Allegro

Track length4:40

$0.80

$1.05

II. Allegro vivo

Track length4:48

$0.80

$1.05

III. Adagio - Andante sostenuto

Track length6:48

$0.80

$1.05

Foerster, J: The Prayer

Work length8:10

$0.80

$1.05

Stamic Quartet

Foerster, J: Erinnerung

Work length2:13

$0.80

$1.05

Jana Bouskova (soloist)
Stamic Quartet

Foerster, J: String Quintet, Op. 3

Work length6:04

$1.60

$2.10

Jiří Hudec (soloist)
Stamic Quartet

I. Viola odorata. Andante cantabile

Track length3:18

$0.80

$1.05

II. Rosa mystica. Allegretto

Track length2:46

$0.80

$1.05

Foerster, J: Allegro giocoso

Work length6:40

$0.80

$1.05

Stamic Quartet

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About

Following the acclaimed recordings of the two violin concertos (SU39612) and the cello concerto (SU39892), Supraphon returns to the work of Josef Bohuslav Foerster, a composer somewhat neglected until recently. This double CD presents for the first time his complete string quartet oeuvre. The first quartet (1888) is dedicated to Tchaikovsky, who recognised in Foerster a talented music creator and in a letter encouraged him to persevere with composing.

The form of string quartet would subsequently accompany Foerster until the very end. The fifth quartet, “The Vestec” (1959), is Foerster’s final work. After a long and arduous creative journey and seeking, he returns in it to his Smetana and Dvorák roots, already evident in the first quartet. This recording is supplemented by three minor compositions (including Erinnerung for string quartet and harp) and the idiomatic two-movement string quintet with double bass. Stamic Quartet, one of the foremost ensembles representing the renowned Czech quartet school worldwide, interprets Foerster with technical mastery and an understanding of the deeper layers of his work.

Reviews

11th September 2010

Foerster’s little-known chamber oeuvre comes as a revelation, especially in performances as committed as these. The Bohemian melodic inspiration is unmistakable, as is the autumnal wistfulness of the slow music...there’s no let-up in creative inspiration or the appealingly direct late romantic idiom.

2011 edition

the music is influenced by Dvorak and Smetana, but it has a rich, flowing melodic lyricism which is all Foerster's own contribution. When played so expertly and with such sympathetic warmth, Foerster is revealed as a composer to return to and to give the listener much pleasure.

Offer,Foerster: The Complete String Quartets

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