With the exception of the Quartet in F major, included on this excellent disc, Nielsen’s string quartets suffer from the fact that most are early works, predating 1900. So they don’t feature that instantly identifiable melodic style typical of the composer’s maturity. Indeed, if you don’t know the F major quartet, you are missing something special. Although composed in 1906, concurrently with the opera Maskerade, it only achieved its final form in 1919. It sounds for all the world like the Third Symphony’s little brother, and if you like the Sinfonia Espansiva then you’re going to love this quartet. The Andante religioso second movement is particularly special, and very beautiful.
The other two works here date from the late 1880s, and as long as you don’t mind their slightly less distinctive melodic profiles, they stand out as some of the best quartet (and quintet) music being written at the time. You notice immediately that Nielsen’s music has two qualities that good chamber writing for string ensembles so desperately needs: contrapuntal life and rhythmic vigor. There are no dead spots, and there’s plenty of Romantic passion that’s always matched by impressive formal control. And if the tunes aren’t mature Nielsen, they are very good just as they are.
The reference set of Nielsen Quartets come from the Kontra Quartet on BIS, but these performances by the Young Danish String Quartet (what will they call themselves in 20 years?) are every bit as fine, and just as well recorded (in all formats). The group’s sonority is warm and full, with just a touch of sinew to the tone that gives Nielsen’s music that plainspoken directness personal to his style from the very beginning. You can tell right away, from the abrupt opening of the G minor quartet, that this group knows how to project the music with genuine impact and tension. By all means, if you don’t already have the BIS set and don’t want to invest in the complete quartets at a throw, you should try this release. And if you have the BIS and love the music, then get these performances too. I promise it won’t hurt! [11/8/2007]
