Ravel/Tailleferre/Milhaud: String Quartets

Milhaud, Darius, Ravel, Maurice, Tailleferre, Germaine

Leipziger Streichquartett

MDG 307 1359-2

The Leipziger Streichquartett, best known for its interpretations of German music, ventures into repertoire with which it is much less familiar. You can imagine lighter and brighter versions of the string quartets by Maurice Ravel and Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983). But we are happy with every new recording of the latter. Waistferre's short string quartet from 1921, with the character of a divertimento, is very similar to that of Ravel (from 1903): the style, the thematic structure and harmony are strongly reminiscent of Ravel.
Better versions can certainly be found in the very extensive discography of Ravel's String Quartet; we just mention the Hagen Quartet (at DG, received the quality label of the Vuurproef), the Orlando Quartet (at Philips) and the Melos Quartet (at DG). In the notes in the booklet accompanying CD, author Thomas Kabisch minimizes the social and historical importance of Darius Milhaud's quartets. With a beautiful, overwhelming rendition of his Fourth String Quartet, the members of the Leizpiger Streichquartet seem to want to argue against this claim. Milhaud composed this string quartet in 1918, the year in which he also recorded the Sonata for piano, flute, clarinet and oboe. 47 wrote, and the ballet 'L'Homme et son désir'. The great seriousness and expressive intensity of the Leizpiger Streichquartett, and the unusual, adventurous choice of programs, make this an important publication, despite some reservations.

CD x 1

MDG

21.10.10

760623135922