OK - another piece of music you need.
I was in need of a Mendelssohn fix today - specifically the Octet in E Flat Major (why is it that Mendelssohn is so good at E Flat Major? )... I have several versions, but one done by the Emerson String Quartet and friends on Deutsche Grammophon (B0006TN9G2) last year is wonderful. The third movement is as good as I've ever heard and the recording standards are truly excellent.
Now to move around the playlists to make sure it is in the iPod for tomorrow's walk.
and why not another recommendation?
You probably know the Mendelssohn, but how about the G Major Dvorák String Quartet number 13? A very neat little gem that is rarely played. I much prefer it to the famous F Major, but both are an essential part of any library. A great value is the pairing of the two pieces on by the Vlach Quartet of Prague on a Naxos CD from the mid 90s. Naxos is a great little label. They know how to record and they are doing just that. But back to the G Major ... there are amazing cross rhythms in the first movement and this group plays it as well as anyone I've heard.
A friend told me the Emerson "and friends" Mendelssohn Octet is actually the Emerson recorded twice. Not so? I haven't heard it.
Same friend highly recommended the A minor quartet (opus 13?) - any recordings of that you would recommend?
Posted by: Alan Little | January 05, 2006 at 06:14