JANACEK: String Quartets Nos. 1 and 2 / SZYMANOWSKI: String

This recording follows the Schoenberg Quartet's comprehensive survey of the works for strings by Schoenberg, Webern, Berg and Zemlinsky issued on nine Chandos CDs to great critical acclaim between 2001 and 2002. Both the Janácek and the Szymanowski are powerful, quite draining works but totally engaging to listen to, and wonderfully performed by the Schoenberg Quartet. The musicians comment that 'we love and care about these four works very much and believe they have something in common, in spirit.' 'The Schoenberg Quartet adds that element of emotional daring which makes all the difference in the world. Outstanding. - Gramophone