Whether he was writing in imitation of Beethoven, Schubert, Wagner, and Brahms, Dvorák always winds up sounding like himself. In the String Quartet in C major, with its enormous structures and rigorous developments, Dvorák is at his most Beethovenian. Inevitably, however, the turn of the melodies, the progress of the harmonies, and the motion of the rhythms is pure Dvorák. But in the string quartet settings of his song cycle Cypresses, Dvorák is most himself, a warm-hearted melodist with touching harmonies and stirring rhythms. In these performances by the Prazak Quartet, Dvorák is always at his best because he is always himself. The Prazak Quartet plays with a clear but sweet tone, a supple but strong ensemble, and a sense of having lived with the music all its life. The interpretations are relaxed and natural, but deeply committed and completely compelling. In the Quartet in C major, the ensemble grants the music its due as form in motion, but makes every melody sing and every rhythm dance. In the Cypresses, the Prazak Quartet welcomes the music with the ardor of lovers and it makes every melody sigh and every rhythm embrace. Praga's super audio sound is immediate and intimate.
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