Few chamber ensembles in the world can boast that they have played together in the same formation for nearly forty years and yet also maintain their musical freshness. The Panocha Quartet will celebrate their fortieth anniversary in 2008, and new recordings (Ravel, Suk, SU 3855-2) as well as a number of reissues of their most successful titles are being released to celebrate the occasion. Janáček’s String Quartets nos 1 and 2 are gems of the international quartet literature of the 20th century, and a touchstone for string quartets. The Panocha Quartet recorded this contribution to the history of Janáček interpretation in 1995, and the album was exceptionally highly praised by the critics. “Their” Janáček is further proof of the strength ofthe Czech quartet tradition.
Leoš Janáček
String Quartet No. 1 inspired by Tolstoy’s Kreutzer Sonata
1. Adagio. Con moto 04:00
2. Con moto 04:16
3. Con moto. Vivo. Andante 03:51
4. Con moto. (Adagio). Piu mosso 05:09
Leoš Janáček
String Quartet No. 2 Intimate Letters
5. Andante. Con moto. Allegro 05:49
6. Adagio. Vivace 05:37
7. Moderato. Adagio. Allegro 05:53
8. Allegro. Andante. Allegro 07:39