Description
Artists
The Hollywood String Quartet is an American string quartet founded by violinist / conductor Felix Slatkin and his wife, cellist Eleanor Aller. The Quartet is considered to be the first American classical chamber ensemble of international renown, based primarily on its cornerstone recordings – recordings widely regarded as the most extraordinary of the string quartet repertoire Schoenberg’s Transfigured Night is beautifully played, with care for the details of dynamics and phrasing, with flawless subtleties, with a consistently pleasant tone and above all with a sure feeling for the general structure. Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro is a wonderful performance by Ann Mason Stockton and her comrades-in-arms. This Ravel work must be the dream solo of every harpist; it uses almost every style facet and possible timbre of the instrument and the rich sound of the flute, clarinet and string quartet combine very effectively with the solo part. Debussy’s Danses Sacrée et Profane completes the album at a similarly high level, with Ann Mason Stockton on harp and the Concert Arts String Ensemble conducted by Felix Slatkin. Beautiful music and a great performance. |