In addition to the extensive body of string quartets and the two piano quintets, Dvorák also produced two piano quartets, one of his own volition and the other under pressure from his publisher. Like the two piano quintets, there is a considerable divergence between content of the quartets, especially in how frequently each is performed. The Op. 23, D major Quartet, like some other early Dvorák is not as well-developed and thought-out as the later, Op. 87 E flat major Quartet which is performed with much greater frequency. This is not to say that both are not quality works, simply that there is a noticeable difference in compositional maturity. Continuing on their successful survey of Dvorák chamber works, members of the
Vlach Quartet Prague join pianist
Helena Suchárová-Weiser on this 2008 Naxos release. Listeners already familiar with the
Vlach Quartet's previous Dvorák releases will remember the group's rich, full sound; down one member for a piano quartet configuration, the remaining three members do not quite achieve this same level of sound quality. Much of this album finds the strings sounding rather thin and frail with intonation problems sometimes creeping in. Interpretively, however, the
Vlach Quartet and
Suchárová-Weiser remain master interpreters of Dvorák's works, with soulful slow movements, vivacious finales, close attention to rhythmic detail, and precise, unified articulation throughout.