Dvorak: Trio & Quartet

David Hurwitz

Artistic Quality:

Sound Quality:

Like Bridge’s previous release of Dvorák chamber music spotlighting the artistry of Artur Balsam, this is a disc for specialists, principally those interested in the work of violinist (and NY Philharmonic concertmaster) Glen Dicterow, pianist David Golub, and cellist James Kreger. The performance of the F minor Trio, captured live at the Marlborough Music Festival in 1970, is very lively and rhythmically emphatic, a must in this music. Golub does some lovely things with the left-hand piano writing in the scherzo, and despite the somewhat restricted dynamic range and occasional audience noise it’s very enjoyable.

Many of the same positive qualities also characterize the better-recorded piano quartet (with Gerald Robbins manning the keyboards this time). There’s a similar rhythmic urgency and a high level of enthusiasm, but despite the regularity with which these artists play chamber music together, there’s also a certain lack of subtlety in the handling of dynamics, particularly in the slow movement, to which the best versions don’t succumb. Still, the playing is never dull, and better some occasional roughness than tedious smoothness. We’re not exactly short of fine performances of these works, but I can certainly imagine that students and followers of these artists (and they have their fair share of both) will enjoy this release.


Recording Details:

Reference Recording: Trio: Suk Trio, Quartet: Hala/Suk etc. (both Supraphon)

ANTONIN DVORÁK - Piano Trio No. 3 in F minor; Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major

    Soloists: David Golub, Gerald Robbins (piano)
    Glenn Dicterow (violin)
    Karen Dreyfus (viola)
    James Kreger (cello)

  • Record Label: Bridge - 9242
  • Medium: CD

Search Music Reviews

Search Sponsor

  • Insider Reviews only
  • Click here for Search Tips

Visit Our Merchandise Store

Visit Store
  • Benjamin Bernheim Rules as Met’s Hoffmann
    Benjamin Bernheim Rules as Met’s Hoffmann Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, NY; Oct 24, 2024 Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann is a nasty work. Despite its
  • RIP David Vernier, Editor-in-Chief
    David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com’s founding Editor-in-Chief passed away Thursday morning, August 1, 2024 after a long battle with cancer. The end came shockingly quickly. Just a
  • Finally, It’s SIR John
    He’d received many honors before, but it wasn’t until last week that John Rutter, best known for his choral compositions and arrangements, especially works related