This is one of the most instantly ingratiating discs in the
Taneyev Quartet's survey of the complete string quartets of Nikolay Myaskovsky, primarily because the opening work on the disc is one of the most immediately attractive works that the normally gloomy Soviet Russian composer ever wrote in the medium. Not coincidentally, Myaskovsky's Seventh String Quartet was also his first quartet in a major key. Like his symphonies, Myaskovsky's string quartets are usually stormy minor-key affairs with plenty of agonizing lyricism and excruciating drama. But not the Seventh Quartet: composed in 1941, the Seventh is a large-scale work in four movements, but here the lyricism is sunny and warm and the drama is sweet and almost touching. After the cheerful Seventh, even the Eighth Quartet in F sharp minor from 1942 sounds less anguished than earlier quartets, its themes are expressive but not hysterical, its forms strong but not overwhelming. Of course, both works are given exemplary performances by the
Taneyev Quartet. As in previous discs in this series recorded between 1982 and 1984, the players are wholly as one with the music, plus their full, rich but clear tone; muscular technique; and pungent intonation are ideal for the music. Anyone who has either of the two previous volumes in this series should not delay, and anyone who's been thinking of checking out the series but doesn't know where to start, this is the place. Northern Flower's un-remastered late stereo, late Soviet sound is grim but honest.