Dante Quartet – Stanford: String Quartets, Vol. 3 (2020) [Official Digital Download 24bit/88,2kHz]

SOMM Recordings’ historic complete survey of Charles Villiers Stanford’s String Quartets by the Dante Quartet reaches its end with a third volume focusing on Nos. 1 and 2, and the first recording of No. 6. Already acclaimed as a composer of choral music, Stanford came relatively late to the string quartet form, composing his first two at the age of 39 in 1891. Six more followed over the next three decades, including the Op. 122 String Quartet, No. 6 in 1910. This final volume features the early String Quartets, Opp. 44 (No. 1) and 45 (No. 2) which share a concern for meticulous use of individual instrument voices and a leaning towards lyricism. Allusions to Beethoven and Mozart are contained within Stanford’s own beautifully crafted music. Heard here in its premiere recording, the Sixth String Quartet is a work of rich contrasts, restless energy and some of Stanford’s most expressive writing for the medium. Volume I (SOMMCD 0160) was admired as “an excellent disc in every respect” (MusicWeb International), applauded as “most enterprising and thoroughly likeable” (Classical Ear) and acclaimed “a really worthwhile release” (Gramophone). Volume II (SOMMCD 0185) was described as “essential listening… SOMM and the Dantes have broken important new ground with impressive commitment” by Gramophone and by Limelight as being “played with great élan and sensitivity by the excellent Dante Quartet”.

A major figure of British musical life at the end of the 19th century, Sir Charles Villiers Stanford was however eclipsed by his students Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Born into a well-off family in Dublin, he became a renowned professor and a talented conductor. As a composer, he left behind an extended catalogue from which emerged his collection of sacred music which was held in high regard by, among others, Sir Thomas Beecham.

Furthermore, the Irish composer wrote seven symphonies, concertante works and chamber music including eight quartets, five of which are perfectly finished. Artistic successors to Schubert, Mendelssohn and Brahms, Stanford’s quartets are nevertheless excellent pieces of work. Although they may lack original composition, they are perfectly written in a romantic vein, with expressive lyricism. The first two quartets presented here are very vibrant, enthusiastically received by critic George Bernard Shaw at the time of their creation between 1892 and 1894.

The Quartet in A minor, Op. 122 was quickly composed during a fishing excursion near Hadrian’s Wall in 1910, an area which Stanford held dear as it allowed him to escape the exuberant London lifestyle. The piece may have been played the following year, but it remained unpublished. Unearthed in 1980, it is recorded here for the first time, in an edition prepared by musicologist Jeremy Dibble for the musicians of the Dante Quartet, although this will be the last one for this iteration of the group as they are renewing three of their members at the start of 2020. Without a doubt, there will be more musical adventures to follow. – François Hudry

Tracklist:
01. Dante Quartet – String Quartet No. 1 in G Major, Op. 44: I. Allegro assai (08:41)
02. Dante Quartet – String Quartet No. 1 in G Major, Op. 44: II. Poco allegro e grazioso – Presto (05:22)
03. Dante Quartet – String Quartet No. 1 in G Major, Op. 44: III. Largo con molto espressione (10:21)
04. Dante Quartet – String Quartet No. 1 in G Major, Op. 44: IV. Allegro molto (05:08)
05. Dante Quartet – String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 45: I. Molto moderato – Più moto (08:29)
06. Dante Quartet – String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 45: II. Prestissimo (02:38)
07. Dante Quartet – String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 45: III. Andante espressivo (07:47)
08. Dante Quartet – String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 45: IV. Allegro molto (07:46)
09. Dante Quartet – String Quartet No. 6 in A Minor, Op. 122: I. Allegro molto moderato (08:24)
10. Dante Quartet – String Quartet No. 6 in A Minor, Op. 122: II. Andante quasi lento (07:38)
11. Dante Quartet – String Quartet No. 6 in A Minor, Op. 122: III. Allegro scherzando (06:43)

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