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Review by JJ January 24, 2009 (6 of 6 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics: |
Here is a most exciting program that the label Praga Digitals proposes. A Martinu recording of the first order with on the menu the Quintet for Strings and Piano H.229, dating from 1933, a delicious work in four movements that has jazzy accents, the Quintet for Strings and Piano H.298, from 1944, that Harry Halbreich qualified as "the summit of all the chamber music from the American years, not only for its dimensions, which compare to the fifth quartet, but also for the quality of its inspiration", and finally the Quartet for Strings and Piano H.287, in three movements, dating from 1942. In a pure DSD recording that is once again perfection, allowing the the instruments' tones to positively flower , the Kocian Quartet and Ivan Klansky on the piano give a musical lesson that is subtle, passionate and fervent, wherein Martinu's depth of language seems more and more pregnant; vibrant, even essential. With an innate sense of color and perfect balance, the Kocian Quartet makes this music indispensable, both enjoyable and new to the ear on each listening. No doubt about it: the Czech composer's soul hovers over this must-have recording.
Jean-Jacques Millo
Translation Lawrence Schulman
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