Too fast and too vigorous, the
Jerusalem Quartet's performances of string quartets by Beethoven,
Ravel, and Dvorák are too much to be altogether convincing. This doesn't mean the musicians don't have the technique both individually and collectively to play as quickly as they do. With its tone tensile, its ensemble impeccable, and its speed incomparable, the
Jerusalem Quartet can do any thing it wants any way it wants. But because of its tendency to put the pedal to the metal in fast movements, this does mean the
Jerusalem's performance of Beethoven's lightly lyrical B flat major Quartet, Op. 18/6, sounds rushed, its performance of
Ravel's passionately restrained Quartet in F major sounds forced, and its performance of Dvorák's radiantly pastoral "American" Quartet in F major sounds pushed. This doesn't mean the slow movements aren't altogether convincing. When the quartet is relaxed in Beethoven's Adagio, ma non troppo, comfortable in
Ravel's Très lent, and serene in Dvorák's Lento, the
Jerusalem is affecting and even compelling. But because it can't resist testing the envelope in Allegros, the
Jerusalem's performances are not ultimately outstanding. One looks forward to more recordings from the
Jerusalem Quartet, if only it eases back and sinks into the music. Classics Live's sound is honest, but perhaps too close.