Radio 3 Record Review
12th November 2022
Record of the Week
Chiaroscuro Quartet
Mozart: String Quartet No. 21 in D major, K575 'Prussian No. 1'
Mozart: String Quartet No. 22 in B flat major, K589 'Prussian No. 2'
Mozart: String Quartet No. 23 in F Major, K590 'Prussian No. 3'
After their exciting interpretations of Haydn, Beethoven and Schubert, the Chiaroscuro Quartet now turns to Mozart's Prussian Quartets, his last compositions for this formation. These quartets were written for Friedrich Wilhelm II, King of Prussia and amateur cellist, and offer that instrument an unusually prominent role. The first of the three was composed fairly quickly, in June 1789, but the next two were not completed until the following year, and in the end Mozart's plan for a set of six came to nothing. The writing of quartets was never an easy matter for Mozart. However, one would hardly guess that the Prussian quartets were the product of 'exhausting labor' (his own words), such is their beguiling ease of workmanship. No. 21 in D major stands out as one of the most melodious chamber compositions of Mozart's mature period, emanating something of the sensual Mediterranean warmth of the opera Così fan tutte composed shortly afterwards. No. 22 in B flat major also emphasizes the importance of melody and gives the 'royal' cello some beautiful solos. As for No. 23 in F major, while it is tempting to hear a melancholy, autumnal quality in Mozart's later works, there is, however, no sense of farewell in this his final string quartet: the spirit of Haydn is everywhere, especially in the finale with it's effects borrowed from Hungarian folklore.
"Specialists in classical-era repertoire, played with gut strings, they regularly generate such hues and dynamics that each note has its own personality, while never jeopardising the cohesion of four players brilliantly working as a team... the artistic results of the Chiaroscuro approach are so plentiful and enlivening: such as the absolute clarity, rhythmic vitality, high drama, lithe lyricism, and wit." - The Times, 30th November 2022.
