Title: Lifeless Performance
Review: I agree with the other reviewers that Hummel's music here is excellent. The problem for me is the performance. Notations for "Allegro, Vivace, Presto, con Spirito" are all ignored. These movements are played with a slow, lifeless, plodding deliberation. Another section marked "Andante" is played at a snails pace. One of the other reviewers mentioned a "strolling" pace. This was for a movement marked "Allegro con Spirito"! "Strolling"? While the first two quartets are more or less acceptable (accent on the less), the third is the worst. The case states that these pieces were recorded over a three day period. It sounds like they just ran out of steam by the third day. It's very frustrating listening to what should be lively, fun, exciting music played with such slow dullness. To hear what Hummel's chamber music should sound like, listen to the recordings of his piano trios, piano quintets & septets.
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