When he dedicated a set of six quartets to Haydn in 1785, Mozart was acknowledging the latter's supremacy in this genre. However, Mozart did more than just imitate him; he integrated Haydn's innovations into his own style, thereby producing a new milestone of Viennese Classicism. The three quartets played here by Cuarteto Casals are among Mozart's finest and are truly masterpieces of the genre.
“Cuarteto Casals shatter a glass ceiling of historic inhibitions and camouflage nothing. Enshrined herein is a rare order of musicianship.” --Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2014
“Cuarteto Casals shatter a glass ceiling of historic inhibitions and camouflage nothing. Enshrined herein is a rare order of musicianship.” --Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2014
“They launch into every movement with tremendous relish, on such a tide of rich, deep string tone that they could be playing Brahms or Dvořák, and it comes with equally full-blooded, expressive inflections. It is very involving to begin with, as such musical generosity draws you into the performance – welcomes you almost. But after a while it all seems a bit too obvious and generalised.” --The Guardian, 4th September 2014 ***
“They fit three of the “Haydn” quartets (including the “Dissonance”) on to this single disc, thanks to generous playing-time and skipping some repeats, and the performances are strong-willed, bold in contrasts, almost Beethovenian in their mettlesome thrust.” --Financial Times, 12th September 2014
“They fit three of the “Haydn” quartets (including the “Dissonance”) on to this single disc, thanks to generous playing-time and skipping some repeats, and the performances are strong-willed, bold in contrasts, almost Beethovenian in their mettlesome thrust.” --Financial Times, 12th September 2014
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Mozart Wolfgang Amadeus
