Hyperion Records | Boccherini: Cello Quintets, Vol. 1

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CDA67287
Archive Service Only

Recording details: March 2001
Henry Wood Hall, London, United Kingdom
Produced by Andrew Keener
Engineered by Julian Millard
Release date: January 2002
Total duration: 61 minutes 53 seconds

EDITORS CHOICE (GRAMOPHONE)

'Boccherini has never had it so good … the Vanbrugh gives performances it would be hard to beat' (BBC Music Magazine)

'Intonation is in the centre of every note, the unanimity and balance between the instruments is impeccable, while the choice of tempos seems well-nigh ideal. Hyperion's sound quality complements their elegant performances. Highly recommended' (The Strad)

'The performances are highly polished, full of zest and finely recorded. An excellent release' (International Record Review)

'To have this fascinating music vividly recorded in such fine performances, both polished and refreshing, with Richard Lester a perfect partner for the prize-winning Vanbrugh Quartet, makes this an ideal sampler' (Gramophone)

'The Vanbrughs make an alluring case for the three works here' (Irish Times Dublin)

'The partnership is both diverting and eloquent, with Lester matching perfectly the qualities of the Vanbrugh … There’s so much to enjoy' (Northern Echo)

'This is spirited and vigorous chamber music, performed with gusto' (Classic FM Magazine)

'on trouvera ici la meilleure initiation aux quintettes de Boccherini'(Répertoire, France)

'The Vanbrugh and Lester create an extraordinarily sweet, warm, smooth tone'(American Record Guide)

'Le Quatuor Vanbrugh auquel s’est joint l’excellent Richard Lester, montre une belle homogénéite de timbres et un art consommé dans l’agencement des différents plans sonores voulus par le compositeur. Un ensemble enthousiaste' (Classica, France)

Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805)

Cello Quintets, Vol. 1

RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet, Richard Lester (cello)

LISTEN TO ALL EXTRACTS

		String Quintet in E major, G275 Op 13 No 5
1		Movement 1: Amoroso [5'30]
2		Movement 2: Allegro e con spirito [7'28]
3		Movement 3: Minuetto – Trio – Minuetto da capo [3'09]
4		Movement 4: Rondo. Andante [7'12]
		String Quintet in F minor, G348 Op 37 No 19
5		Movement 1: Allegro moderato assai [6'06]
6		Movement 2: Minuetto con moto – Trio – Minuetto da capo [2'41]
7		Movement 3: Adagio cantabile [4'38]
8		Movement 4: Rondo. Allegro giusto [4'39]
		String Quintet in G minor, G351 Op 37 No 13
9		Movement 1: Moderato [5'36]
10		Movement 2: Minuetto – Trio – Minuetto da capo [4'53]
11		Movement 3: Larghetto amoroso [5'08]
12		Movement 4: Finale. Allegro ma non presto [4'53]

Before Boccherini settled into the life of a composer he was a virtuoso cellist, and it was during his employment in the court of King Carlos III that he started writing cello quintets for himself to perform with the quartet already in residence. The combination of quintet with two cellos freed one of them from the obligation to provide the bass line, so Boccherini was able to exploit the instrument's full range and write for an ensemble of five soloists. He was able to further develop this sound when later employed by the cello-playing Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia, where his quintets with two cellos were especially welcomed. And so were written a magnificent series of works combining lively, robust passages with elegant, suave melodic writing, and passionate driving rhythm with sweet seductive passages, all underpinned by rich five-part harmony. It should be noted that track three of this disc is the Boccherini Minuet in its original guise. Now in its sixteenth year, the RTE Vanbrugh Quartet is firmly established as one of Europe's most successful string quartets, and on this disc they are joined by Richard Lester, one of Britain's most outstanding cellists, co-principal cellist of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and member of The Florestan Trio.

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