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Title: Bravo--masterful live performances by the ABQ
Review: Amazon isn't exactly spilling over with reviews of the Alban Berg Quartet, despite the fact that they dominated quartet playing in Europe for two decades. Here we get live performances of Dvorak's evergreen "American" Quartet Op. 96 (1989) and Smetana's equally beloved Qartet #1 "From My Life" (1990) from concerts in the ABQ's home city, Vienna.I can't imagine asking for more in either work. The viola executes the Dvorak's opening melody with short slashes that greatly enliven it, but the whole of both quartets is played for intensity and drama--the ABQ don't know any other mode. One is swept away by their energy, musical intelligence, and above all their ability to play in tune with gorgeous tone while digging deep into the score. The sonics are close but warm. As hard as it is to record string quartets without making them sound edgy and fierce, EMI did a lovely job here. Five stars, with gratitude.
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