Stemming from the banner year of 1842, in which
Schumann composed an unprecedented quantity of chamber works, the three string quartets of Op. 41 have had some difficulty attaining the same level of prominence as other quartets written by
Schumann's contemporaries or
Beethoven before him. Though clearly masterpieces of the genre, they can offer lofty interpretive challenges to ensembles as well as be difficult to digest for audiences. In the right hands, though, these three quartets can easily stand alongside those of
Mendelssohn,
Brahms, or late
Beethoven. The young members of the
Doric String Quartet make up just such an ensemble. The playing on this Chandos album offers a fresh, youthful perspective on a set of quartets that all too often come across as stodgy or dull. The musicians achieve this through fast movements that are tossed off at break-neck speeds while maintaining control and musical cohesion. These driven tempo choices set up brilliant contrasts with the more pensive, introspective slow movements. Here,
Doric plays with a beauty and richness of tone and a depth of musical introspection far beyond its years. While the intonation is not flawless, other aspects of its technique -- wide dynamic range, precise articulation, and a fluid balance between instruments -- more than compensate for the rare missteps of pitch.