String Quartets · 1

Naxos' CD packaging nearly always looks more utilitarian than appealing, though there is certainly something to be said for spelling out all the pertinent details in prominent high-contrast text on the cover. This one is a relatively recent aquisition, bought last year from on-line classical specialists Europadisc. On it are Paul Hindemith's second and third string quartets - written in 1918 and '20 respectively - performed by the Amar Quartet, a Zürich-based group whose name comes from the Quartet of which Hindemith himself was a member from 1921.

Hindemith was by all accounts an extraordinarlly versatile multi-instrumentalist, and accomplished enough as a violinist and violist that he could have elected to follow a career as a concert soloist had he so desired. As a composer he was likewise versatile in the instrumentation he wrote for. And he wrote a great deal: it's too bad that most of what I've heard of it leaves me cold. I fell for his 'Viola Sonata no. 4' after picking up an old LP recording of it. Inspired to sample more of his work, I found it frustratingly hit & miss.

There were a few pieces I enjoyed, however, such as the second Piano Sonata, and the third String Quartet. The first recording I had of the latter had been left behind in Sweden when I moved back to the UK. More recently I became curious to hear the 2nd quartet, and thought having it coupled with the 3rd seemed like a good option. I do quite like the 2nd, as it turns out, but it's still no. 3 I prefer. The performances and sound-quality here are both excellent.