Mozart – Prussian String Quartets

Engegard Quartet

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Original Recording Format: DXD
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From the time they began playing together, the members of the Engegård Quartet have worked with Mozart’s string quartets. Now, ten years later, the results can be heard on the quartet’s first release on the LAWO Classics label. 

The album features the three “Prussian Quartets”, the last that Mozart wrote, in 1789 and 1790. The nickname comes from King Frederick William II of Prussia, to whom Mozart had intended to dedicate the pieces — a plan not realized when they were published. 

There is some doubt as to whether it was really the King who commissioned the works, but Mozart had him in mind in any case when he wrote them. And to make them appealing to the King, who was a competent cello player, special attention was paid to the cello part. 

This music is, however, not only about the cello. The quartets are intricately structured to provide room for all four parts and allow them all to enjoy equal prominence. 

Formed under the midnight sun in Lofoten in 2006, the Engegård Quartet has rapidly become one of Norway’s most sought-after ensembles. Their bold, fresh interpretations of the classical repertoire combined with a deep attachment to their Scandinavian roots has attracted international acclaim and inspired some innovative partnerships and programming.

Tracklist

Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.
1.
String Quartet No. 21 in D major. K. 575 - I. Allegretto
07:13
2.
String Quartet No. 21 in D major. K. 575 - II. Andante
03:46
3.
String Quartet No. 21 in D major. K. 575 - III. Menuetto allegro
04:59
4.
String Quartet No. 21 in D major. K. 575 - IV. Allegretto
05:37
5.
String Quartet No. 22 in B-flat major, K. 589 - I. Allegro
05:27
6.
String Quartet No. 22 in B-flat major, K. 589 - II. Larghetto
05:45
7.
String Quartet No. 22 in B-flat major, K. 589 - III. Menuetto moderato
06:02
8.
String Quartet No. 22 in B-flat major, K. 589 - IV. Allegro assai
03:36
9.
String Quartet No. 23 in F major, K. 590 - I. Allegro moderato
08:19
10.
String Quartet No. 23 in F major, K. 590 - II. Andante
06:34
11.
String Quartet No. 23 in F major, K. 590 - III. Menuetto allegretto
03:14
12.
String Quartet No. 23 in F major, K. 590 - IV. Allegro
06:55

Total time: 01:07:27

Additional information

Label

SKU

LWC1123

Qualities

, ,

Channels

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Artists

Composers

Genres

,

Original Recording Format

Producer

Vegard Landaas

Recording Engineer

Thomas Wolden

Recording location

Solsiden Church, Fredrik

Recording Software

Merging

Recording Type & Bit Rate

DXD

Release DateApril 14, 2017

Press reviews

KlassiskCD

“Engegård Quartet has played string quartets by Mozart throughout their history. It shows!

The Prussian String Quartets are the last three quartets composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791). It is the music that has been recorded by the Engegård Quartet on this album. The three quartets show how formidable Mozart’s writings were the last years of his life. The compositions gives musicians the opportunity to shine. And so do the four musicians on this album.

There’s something harmonious of the playing on this album. The whole thing becomes an organic musical experience. The music and the musicians come to a common place that is just so right.

When a listener plays this album, they are struck by the homogeneity of the Quartet and the delicate music being conveyed. The quartet has simply put Mozart’s music forward in an outstanding manner. All three quartets are extremely beautiful. It’s something for listeners to simply sit back and enjoy.

PS! The album booklet’s text is very good and enlightening. Written by Morten Carlsen from the Norwegian Academy of Music it’s well worth laying eyes on.”

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