ORFORD QUARTET/PURCELL QUARTET -
Canadian String Quartets (CMC, 77 mins.)
* * * * (out of 5)
|
Taken from the CBC recordings made in the early 80s but never available
until now, three outstanding string quartets by three of Canada's
best-known composers are collected on this Canadian Music Centre disc.
The Second String Quartet of Oskar Morawetz was first completed
in 1952, then revised a few times until its final version in 1960.
It is a haunting and highly lyrical piece, and if the Orford String
Quartet manage a new meaning for "vivace" in the final movement,
taking it rather leisurely, their performance is assured and
well-balanced. This is a melodic side of Morawetz that was new to this
reviewer, and much admired.
