The Skampa Quartet clearly belongs in the grand tradition of Czech string quartets; its combination of firm rhythm and focused tone, lacking the timbral smoothness of the Panocha or Talich Quartets, evokes the Smetana Quartet perhaps more than any other. This of course stands the ensemble in very good stead in tackling the two works in the medium composed by its illustrious predecessor’s namesake. Of the two quartets, the First (“From My Life”) remains the most popular, largely on account of its autobiographical references and generous fund of Romantic melody–but I always have found the Second quartet, with its remarkable combination of terseness and ferocity, to be the more interesting of the two.
Of course I can’t begin to guess, but perhaps the Skampa Quartet agrees. Both performances are excellent. The First quartet sings and dances as it must, with a particularly colorful scherzo and a final intimation of approaching deafness that’s all the more harrowing for not being maudlin. But I particularly admire the way that these players tear into the Second quartet, especially the bite at the opening of the third movement, and first violinist Pavel Fischer’s fearless use of vibrato to give the finale the queasy, disturbing quality that continually undermines its forced cheerfulness. There’s tremendous competition in this music, and very many excellent performances, including those of the Smetana Quartet itself, but these are every bit as good, and better sounding to boot. A self-recommending release. [1/14/2004]
