Bedřich Smetana: String Quartet No. 2 - Antonín Dvořák: String Quartet No. 13, Two Waltzes
10/1/2007, 10 Tracks, 59:27
Featuring
Pavel Hůla
Miloš Černý
Zbyněk Paďourek
Václav Bernášek
Kocian Quartet
Bedřich Smetana
Antonín Dvořák
Did you know?
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Compositional Technique
Smetana's Quartet No. 2 in D minor (1882) features an "open" architecture and non-cyclical themes, directly influencing Janáček.
Cultural Impact
With his Quartet No. 2, Smetana transitioned Czech musical nationalism from the Romantic era to 20th-century expressionism.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded live in the Auditorium of Dijon on March 11, 2004, with Franck Guinfoleau as the sound engineer and recording producer.
Compositional Technique
Smetana's Quartet No. 2 uses abrupt key and rhythmic changes, creating an almost operatic effect to tell a dense and sometimes brusque story.
Interpretation
The Kocian Quartet, performing on this album, is recognized as one of the best Czech quartets, alongside the Pražák and Talich quartets.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Despite rarely quoting authentic folk tunes, Smetana's Quartet No. 2 expresses Czech nationalism through its use of polka rhythms and dumka lyrical forms.
Notable Performances
Dvořák's Quartet in G major was first performed by the Bohemian Quartet on October 10, 1896.
