Brahms: The String Quartets / Dvorák: String Quartet, Op. 106
The three string quartets of Brahms are really problematic works. Like Mozart's late quartets, they tend to be overwritten. The composer worked so hard trying to establish an absolute equality of discourse among the parts that the pieces tend to sound thick and heavy. In his string quintets and sextets (again like Mozart), the presence of an extra player or two allowed Brahms to indulge in his love of rich textures without forcing. This means the great performances of the quartets need to keep the textures open and light, and the rhythm firm. The Alban Berg Quartet understands this problem well, and offers propulsive, committed renditions that make the best possible case for the music.--David Hurwitz