Towards the end of his life, short of money and heavily in debt, Mozart had the opportunity to visit King Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia - a famous patron of the arts and a keen and above-average musician. Mozart performed for the King and left with some cash and a commission for a set of six string quartets, of which these are the only three he completed. They are ground-breaking in the way in which Mozart utilised the voicing of the instruments. King Friedrich was a viola da gamba player turned cellist, and these works feature extensive melodies for the cello, usually in a high register, thus emancipating the cello from the bass line and introducing a more evenly blended texture. Firmly established as one of the leading quartets of their generation, the Doric String Quartet enjoys a worldwide reputation and has performed at festivals and concert halls around the globe. Exclusive Chandos artists, the Quartet has drawn widespread critical acclaim for it's recordings and won a number of prestigious awards.

Tracklist:

String Quartet No. 21 In D Major, K. 575 "Prussian No. 1": I. Allegretto
String Quartet No. 21 In D Major, K. 575 "Prussian No. 1": II. Andante
String Quartet No. 21 In D Major, K. 575 "Prussian No. 1": III. Menuetto. Allegretto
String Quartet No. 21 In D Major, K. 575 "Prussian No. 1": IV. Allegretto
String Quartet No. 22 In B-Flat Major, K. 589 "Prussian No. 2": I. Allegro
String Quartet No. 22 In B-Flat Major, K. 589 "Prussian No. 2": II. Larghetto
String Quartet No. 22 In B-Flat Major, K. 589 "Prussian No. 2": III. Menuetto. Moderato
String Quartet No. 22 In B-Flat Major, K. 589 "Prussian No. 2": IV. Allegro Assai
String Quartet No. 23 In F Major, K. 590 "Prussian No. 3": I. Allegro Moderato
String Quartet No. 23 In F Major, K. 590 "Prussian No. 3": II. Andante
String Quartet No. 23 In F Major, K. 590 "Prussian No. 3": III. Menuetto. Allegretto
String Quartet No. 23 In F Major, K. 590 "Prussian No. 3": IV. Allegro

UPC: 095115224922
Label: Chandos
Release Date: 7.2.21
Format: CD

Mozart / Doric String Quartet - String Quartets 1 (2pk) (2 CD)