For Now...

 

... I leave the music of Fibich for a while.

Thus, I end my time with the composer's two string quartets.

As mentioned with other recordings from Supraphon I've covered on this blog, Fibich is well represented on the Czech label, and here covered by the home team Panocha Quartet.

These are delightful works although they lay towards the conservative side from Fibich.

I daresay, String Quartet no. 1 in A Major is the one which takes the most chances. The shifting from major to minor affords the quartet a bit of variety, particularly the Medieval quality in its finale, but generally speaking, this is a sweet work.

The Panocha Quartet sounds less polished in String Quartet no. 2 in G Major. I don't know if this is on the composer or the players; perhaps Fibich writes more awkwardly here, or the ensemble spent less time with this music. The second half of the quartet works best for me, where Panocha affords rusticity in the dance-like settings.

As a bonus and filler, a 12-minute Theme and Variations, set in B-flat Major, is paired to the quartets. To my ears, this sounds not much more than gentrified music, but perhaps time will allow further pleasures to unfold.

There isn't much on record for these chamber works, aside from the same program of the Kocian Quartet on Orfeo, as well as individual offerings from the Talich and Martfeld Quartets.

On an inconsequential digression, no attribution is given to Supraphon's cover. My guess is its a photograph, but of who and what? If it is a painting, why are we pairing it with this recording? Unimportant musings, but inquiring minds want to know.

 

Listen on YouTube

 

 

Works
String Quartet in A Major (21.38)
String Quintet in G Major (25.21)
Theme and Variations in B-flat Major (12.11)

Performers
Panocha Quartet
    Jiří Panocha, violin
    Pavel Zejfart, violin
    Miroslav Sehnoutka, viola
    Jaroslav Kuhlan, cello

Label: Supraphon
Year: 2001
Total Timing: 59.26

 

 

Not my favorite music from Fibich, but it is nonetheless sweet and undemanding.

The Panocha Quartet make a strong case for String Quartet no. 1, if not so much the rest.