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Buyer Reviews
Average Buyer Rating:
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Could this be Beethoven?
The gem of this collection of four chamber works by Mendelssohn is the A minor quartet. It was published at the same time that the late Beethoven quartets were appearing and there is a strong family resemblance. The delightful third movement Intermezzo is similar in spirit to the Alla Danza Tedesca of Beethoven's Opus 130 and the opening bars of the fourth movement are similar to the passage at the end of the fourth movement of Beethoven's Opus 132 which introduces the soaring theme originally considered for his Ninth finale. This is not imitation Beethoven but it is in the spirit of the late quartets and may have even preceded Opus 130 and Opus 132.
The two quintets are not of the same stature but are still worth careful listening. The first, like the A minor quartet, is a youthful work while the second is a more mature composition. I won't comment on the Octet - I just don't like it.
The playing is superb and well balanced; unfortunately there are not more recordings by Hausmusik London available on CD. And the engineering is excellent. Finally, Virgin Veritas should be commended for making available two discs for the price of one.
Customer Rating: -
majic Mendlssohn
This pairing of string pieces makes for a cohesive, very energetic set of cds. Both the quentets and the octet have melodic themes that are repeated with variations that will start to run through your head (they are a little too complex to whistle).
Customer Rating: 
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Precision and elegance, awsome quintet
I agree with the other reviewer, the Scherzo from the Octet is wonderfull, there aren't many recordings out there with such high level of chamber playing.
I must also mention the L'Archibudelli recording of the Octet. Though not as clean, it is more dynamic (though this recording is certainly not lacking at all).
L'Archibudelli also recorded the quintet, but I like this recording more.
The strength of L'Archibudelli is also it's weakness, they are great soloists on the expense of chamber work.
As I recommended on the L'Archibudelli review, I would get both recordings since both excell in different aspects.
As for the Quintet, I feel that this recording is the better of the two.
Customer Rating: -
Outstanding - Wonderful Scherzo and Presto in the Octet
Another reviewer, Sphaernklang, has written a thoughtful, detailed, and scholarly review of this oustanding 2-CD set. My own review is meant only to supplement his. First, I absolutely agree with his comments about the range of tone color and the clearly audible separate parts. The musicians play these pieces seamlessly, as a unit, while also making clear the different parts played by each instrument.
I have not yet heard L'Archibudelli's version of these compositions, which the other reviewer contrasts with Hausmusik in describing them as "technically brilliant". However, I have listened to these two Hausmusik CD's many times and find that this group is also technically brilliant, while also performing the music with depth, charm, and soul. All of the lyrical beauty of the adagio and andante passages is captured in these recordings. That being said, nowhere is Hausmusik's brilliance more impressive than in their exuberant glowing performance of the Octet, which, as the fourth and final selection on this 2 CD set, may be considered in a way as Hausmusik's finale.
The Octet is performed with consummate mastery, with the Scherzo and Presto having a wonderful energy. The electrifying performance of these last two movements radiates with the musicians' enthusiasm and their love for the music. Amidst the unending deluge of adagio compilation CDs that have been released, there are occasionally a few compilations of energetic classical music. If EMI decides to release this kind of compilation, Hausmusik's outstanding performance of the Octet's last two movements will hopefully be included.
The sound quality of these digital recordings is excellent.
The CD instert has an interesting short essay in English, translated into German, and a different short essay in French that is also well-written and informative.
