Pleyel: Preussische Quartette 7-9

Pleyel Quartett Köln

CPO 777315

Pleyel's string quartets occupy a central place in his rich musical oeuvre – which is hardly surprising, given the fact that he studied with Joseph Haydn and was later his friend. What is surprising, however, is that Haydn's influence on Pleyel is not as clear as one might expect. During Pleyel's lifetime his twelve Prussian Quartets (Benton 331-42) enjoyed very great popularity, and today they convey a clear picture of his versatility in chamber composition. Concertante episodes, distributed in fair shares among the four instruments, play the dominant role in Pleyel, and here his inclination toward an idiom of clearer Italian orientation is reflected. The Pleyel Quartet of Cologne, drawing on historical sources for its interpretations whenever possible, performs three of these »bold« Prussian Quartets fascinating us with their dramatic harmony and many tonal surprises.

CD

Muzyka klasyczna

CPO

13-05-2008

761203731527