As with the previous three releases in Naxos’ Schubert Quartet cycle, the Kodály Quartet’s tightly-knit ensemble values, sensitive balances, and excellent intonation distinguish the three early works encompassing Volume 4. The players admirably convey the sustained introspection throughout the B-flat quartet’s Andante sostenuto and the Menuetto’s ländler-like lilt, while the opening Allegro’s motoric triplet accompaniments are well shaped. The Presto doesn’t quite take wing, mainly because the first-violin flourishes that peep out from the quiet sustained chords are too loud and emphatic.
Although the Kodály members bring out the remarkable harmonic tension the teenage Schubert generates in the finale of his very first quartet, they lack the variety of articulation and rhythmic pliability with which the Auryn and Verdi Quartets enliven this music. The same criticism applies to the C major quartet’s outer movements. Compare, for example, how the Kodály first violinist Attila Falvay almost seems to squeeze out the finale’s jaunty main theme from his instrument, whereas the Auryn’s Matthias Ligenfelder effortlessly tosses it off. Fine annotations, excellent sonics.
