For fans of Sergey Taneyev, the so-called Russian Brahms, the re-issue of the Taneyev Quartets recordings of the nine string quartets of their namesake in 2005 was cause for celebrating. Taped in the late Seventies, their recordings were only intermittently available in what was then called the West, and their re-release restored to the catalogue performances which could well be considered definitive. Surely, the Taneyev Quartet could not be more dedicated to the music. Every phrase sings, every harmony rings and every rhythm resounds with complete conviction. And certainly, their performances will probably not soon be bettered. Their tone is sweet, their intonation is lean, their ensemble is exemplary and, best of all, their interpretations are as clear-eyed as they are warm-hearted, a crucial balance in performing Taneyev. In this the first volume of the series, they couple the expansive five-movement B-flat minor Quartet Opus 4 with the dramatic A minor Quartet Opus 11, and their performances make convincing music out of the composer's expressive melodies, chromatic counterpoint, sometimes heavy textures and often overwrought structures. While not perhaps for every fan of 19th century chamber music -- for some, Taneyev's combination of Russian emotional intensity and German intellectual concentration may be too much to take --these recordings will be treasured by Taneyev's fans.
Northern Flowers re-issue is as dry, as deep and as open as the originals.