"Recording a first CD is an exciting time," writes the collective
Matangi Quartet in the notes that accompany this disc, "a snapshot at the start of a long journey." Whether or not the group will have a long journey, of course, is anybody's guess, but as a first CD, this is fairly impressive recital. The
Matangi, a multi-international group based in the Netherlands, has a smooth tone, a relaxed ensemble, and an ingratiating way of phrasing a theme, qualities that serve the group well in its graciously lyrical performance of
Haydn's D major Quartet, Op. 20/4, and the wonderfully evocative performance of the central Lento in
Dvorák's "American" Quartet in F major. Sometimes, however, these qualities serve the quartet less well: one might wish for a more aggressive attack in the too laidback performance of
Schubert Quartetsatz in C minor and for more snap in the rhythms of the too comfortable
Dvorák's quartet's Molto vivace or Vivace, ma non troppo. Indeed, there are times one could wish the relaxed ensemble was cleaner and tighter, particularly in
Haydn's closing Presto e scherzando. Still, for a debut CD by a young, ambitious but relatively inexperienced group, the
Matangi Quartet's Première shows distinct promise and one can only wish the group a long and successful journey. Challenge Classics' sound is clear enough but too recessed to make out some quieter details.