Brahms: Piano Quartets Nos. 1-3 / Schumann: Piano Quintets
To many critics and chamber music devotees, the products of the brief recording career of the Hollywood String Quartet (less than a decade) are something close to sacred icons. The quality of this ensemble's playing was so concentrated and intense that it disarms most criticism. Victor Aller, who plays in all but one of these works, was the brother of the HSQ's cellist and worked extremely well with them. That said, one can still feel that music of the Romantic era wasn't these musicians' best area. As fine as these performances are, they are still a bit strait-laced and unbending--except for the first movement of the Schumann, moments which Aller bends almost out of shape. The mono sound poses no problems.--Leslie Gerber