Beethoven • Schubert • Shostakovich String Quartets
David Oistrakh Quartet
Praga Digitals PRD 250 426
These three quartets (Beethoven Op. 18 No. 4, Shostakovich 3, Schubert 12 ‘Quartettsatz’) are all united by a prevailing tension and frequent outbursts of turbulence, well rendered by this Russian quartet with its nicely blended ensemble sound and some brisk tempos. (SW)
Bruch • Tveitt Violin Works
Ragnhild Hemsing (violin/hardanger), Bergen Phil Berlin Classics 0302757BC
This atmospheric album combines Bruch’s much-loved Concerto with lesser-known Norwegian fare. Geirr Tveitt’s ‘3 Fjords’ Concerto is particularly fine, the delicate tone of the hardanger fiddle juxtaposed against a menacing Bergen Phil. But Hemsing is an equally persuasive violinist, with a surprisingly rich and muscular tone.