Intro
Pražák String Quartet
Vaclav Remes, Vlastimil Holek : violins
Josef Kluson : viola, Michal Kanka : cello
Biography
Pražák String Quartet
Biography
They then embarked on a professional career whilst pursuing their studies at the Prague Academy (AMU) in the chamber music class of Antonín Kohout (Smetana Quartet), and at the University of Cincinatti with Walter Levin (LaSalle Quartet).
Today the Pražák is recognized as one of the foremost Czech ensembles. Their extended repertoire includes works by composers of the Second Viennese School, such as Zemlinsky, Schönberg, Berg and Webern, for which they are much in demand in Europe and especially in Germany. They also extensively perform and record the classical repertoire: Haydn, Mozart and Schubert; and like all Czech Ensembles, they are ideal interpreters of Dvořák, Smetana, Suk, Novák, Janáček and Schulhoff, as well as of contemporary composers such as Pascal Dusapin.
The Pražák quartet records exclusively for Praga Digitals. They have released nearly forty CDs for which they have received great critical acclaim and the highest awards in the international press (Diapason, Fono Forum, Klassik Heute, Gramophone,etc).
The Pražák String Quartet appears regularly in the United Kingdom; for the BBC, they gave concerts at the Wigmore Hall (Monday lunch time series), Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham (Beethoven series) and St Luke's in London (a programme of Czech music as part of "Voice of a Nation"). The quartet also completed an Around the Country tour organised by the Sheffield-based promoter Music in the Round directed by Peter Cropper. They performed Janacek for a BBC Radio 3 lunchtime recital at LSO St Luke's, and appeared at Newbury and Gower Festivals. In 2009, the quartet will be celebrating the anniversaries of the deaths of both Haydn (1732 - 1809) and Martinů (1890 - 1959), performing their string quartets extensively.
October 2009
Václav REMEŠ plays a Lorenzo Guadagnigi (1730)
Vlastimil HOLEK plays an Antonio Caressa (1900)
Josef KLUSOŇ plays a Thomas Vilar (1985)
Michal KAŇKA plays a Giovanni Grancino (1710, State Collection, Prague)
(Succeeded Josef Pražák in 1986)
Not to be altered without permission. We update our biographies regularly. Please destroy all previous biographical material
Discography
Pražák String Quartet
Discography
2009
Joseph Haydn: Prussian Quartets Op.50
String Quartet in E flat major, Op.50 No.3
String Quartet in F major, Op.50 No.5 ‘The Dream'
String Quartet in D, Op.50 No.6 "The Frog"
Praga
PRD/DSD 250251
Bohuslav Martinù: String Quartets
String Quartet No.6, H.312
String Quartet No.3, H.183
String Quartet No.1, H.117 (Zemlinsky Quartet)
Praga
PRD/DSD 250254
Felix Mendelssohn
String Quartet in E flat major, Op.12
String Quintet No.1 (two violas) in A major, Op.18
Minuetto in F sharp minor (original third movement, replaced by II: Intermezzo). Fis-moll
Praga
PRD/DSD 250252
2008
Jindrich Feld: Chamber Music
String Quartet No.5, dedicated to Prague City Quartet
String Quintet (two violas), dedicated to Smetana Quartet
String Quartet No.6, dedicated of the members of Pražák Quartet
Praga
PRD/DSD 350'037
Franz Schubert
String Quartet in G major, No.15 Op.161, D 887
String Trio in B flat, D 581
String Trio in B flat, D 471
Praga
PRD/DSD 250'240
Pražák Quartet In Concert: ‘30 years after their Evian International Prize'
Joseph Haydn: String Quartet in D major, Op.50 No.6 ‘The Frog'
Bohuslav Martinu: Smyčcový kvartet č. 3 H.268 - String Quartet No.3
Jindrich Feld: Kvintet pro saxophon a smyčcový kvartet - Saxophone Quintet J 194
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet No.16 in F major, Op.135
Praga
PRD/DSD 350045
2007
Jindrich Feld
String Quartet No.4 J.61
Clarinet Quintet J.194
+Two compositions for cello and piano J.22, Concerto for viola and orchestra J.208
Praga
PRD/DSD 250239
W. - A. Mozart: Haydn Quartets (1)
String Quartet No. 15 in D minor, K.421
String Quartet No.17 in B flat major, K.458 ‘The Hunt'
String Quartet No. 19 in C, K.465 "Dissonant"
Praga
PRD/DSD 250'242
Arnold Schönberg
String Quartet No.4, Op. 37
Verklärte Nacht Op.4
Vladimir Bukac (Viola), Petr Prause (Violoncello)
Praga
PRD/DSD 250234
2006
Johannes Brahms
String Quartet No. 3 in B flat major, Op.67
Piano Quintet in F minor, Op.34
Ivan Klánský (Piano)
Praga
PRD/DSD 250220
Johannes Brahms
String Quartet No.1 Op.51/1
Clarinet Quintet Op. 115
Pascal Moraguès
Praga
PRD/DSD 250227
Johannes Brahms
String Quartet No.2 in A minor, Op.51
String Quintet No.2 in G major Op.111
Vladimír Bukac (Viola)
Praga
PRD/DSD 250236
2005
Ludwig van Beethoven: The String Quartets (complete)
Praga
PRD/DSD 350013
Felix Mendelssohn
Octet for strings in E Flat major Op. 20
Piano Sextet in D major, Op. 110
Praga
PRD/DSD 250221
Diapason d'Or de l'année 2005
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
String Quintet with viola No.5 in D KV 516
String Quintet with viola No.4 in G minor KV 593
Prazak Quartet in concert with Hatto Beyerle
Praga
PRD 350012
Krzysztof Penderecki
String Trio
Cadenza per viola sola
Per Slava for cello
Divertimento for cello
Sextet with for piano, violin, viola, cello, clarinet and french horn
Praga
PRD/DSD 250202
The Most Famous Czech Quartets
Bedrich Smetana: String Quartet No.1 in E minor "From my life" - No.2 in D minor - From the Homeland
Antonin Dvorak: String Quartet No.14 in A flat major - No.12 in F major - 'The American'
Leos Janacek: String Quartet No.1 "Kreutzer Sonata" - No.2 "Intimare Letters" - Sonata violin and piano
Praga
PRD 350014
4 Clés Télérama
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
Diapason d'Or
« 10 » de Répertoire
2004
Ludwig van Beethoven - (Vol. 4)
String Quartet No.10 in E flat major, Op.74 "Harp"
String Quartet No.11 in F minor, Op.95
Praga
PRD/DSD 250199
Antonin Dvorak
String Quartet no 11 in C Op.61 / B. 121
Cypresses (12) B.152 - complete cycle for String Quartet
Praga
PRD/DSD 250198
Ludwig van Beethoven (Vol. 7)
String Quartet No.13 in B flat, Op.130
Grosse Fugue Op.133 in B flat
Praga
PRD/DSD 250206
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
Cinq diapasons
Récommandé par Classica
Ervín Schulhoff - Chamber Works
Five pieces for String Quartet
Concertino for flute, viola and double bass
Duo for violin and cello
Sextet for for two violins, two violas and two cellos
Prazak Quartet - Kocian Quartet
Praga
PRD/DSD 250203
2003
Ludwig van Beethoven - String Quartet op.18 (Vol. 1)
String Quartet No.4 in C minor, Op.18 no 4
String Quartet No.5 in A major, Op.18 no 5
String Quartet No.1 in F major, Op.18 no 1
Praga
PRD / DSD 250183
« 10 » de Répertoire de Repertoire
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Trio for piano, clarinet and viola "Kegelstatt-Trio" in E flat K 498
Clarinet Quintet in A major K 581
Pascal Moraguès (Clarinet), Frank Braley (Piano) - Vladimir Mendelssohn: viola
Praga
PRD/DSD 250200
Franz Schubert
String Quintet in C major, Op.163 / D 956
String Quartet No.7 in D major, D 94
Praga
PRD/DSD 250191
2002
Ludwig van Beethoven - (Vol. 5)
String Quartet No.12 in E flat major, Op.127
String Quartet No.14 in C sharp minor, Op.131
Praga
PRD 250181
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
Cinq diapasons
Récommandé par Classica
Antonin Dvorak
Piano Quintet in A Op.5 / B.28
Piano Quintet in A Op.81 / B.155
Ivan Klansky (Piano)
Praga
PRD 250175
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) - The Art of the String Quartet
String Quartet in A major, from "The Sun-Quartets", Op.20 No.6
String Quartet in D major "The Lark", Op.64 No.5
String Quartet in C major "Emperor", Op.76 No.3
Praga
PRD 250169
Diapason d'Or
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
Sergeï Prokofiev
String Quartet No.2 Op. 92 on Kabardinian themes
Praga
PRD 250174
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
« Star » de Klassik Heute
2001
Ludwig van Beethoven - String Quartet op.18 (Vol. 2)
String Quartet no 3 in D major Op.18 No.3
String Quartet no 2 in G major Op.18 No.2
String Quartet no 6 in B flat major Op.18 No.6
PRD 250158
« 10 » de Répertoire de Repertoire
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
Arnold Schönberg
Quartet in D - Trio - Fantasie for violin Op.47
+ Gustav Mahler: Piano Quartet (1876)
Prazak Quartet, Vlastimil Holek (Violin), Sachiko Kayahara (Piano)
Praga
PRD 250168
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
« 10 » de Répertoire
Cinq diapasons
Classica
Carl Maria vom Weber
Clarinet Quintet in B flat Op.34 / J.182
Grand Duo Concertant in E flat major Op.48 / J.204
Variations on a theme from "Silvana" Op.33 / J.128
Praga
PRD 250164
Anton Webern
String Quartet Op.28
+ Alban Berg: String Quartet
Lyric Suite for String Quartet
Lyric Suite for Soprano and String Quartet
Vanda Tabery: soprano
Praga
PRD 250161
Alban Berg / Amton Webern - String Quartets
Alban Berg: String Quartet, Op.3 - Lyric Suite for string quartet - Lyric Suite for soprano and string quartet.
Anton Webern: String Quartet, Op.28
Praga
PRD250161
Diapason d'Or de l'année 2001
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
« Star » de Klassik Heute
2000
Ludwig Beethoven - Quartets op.59 Razumovsky (Vol. 3)
String Quartet no 7 in F major, Op.59 No.1
String Quartet no 8 in E minor, Op.59 No.2
String Quartet no 9 in C major, Op.59 no 3
Praga
PRD 250145/146
« Choc » de l'année 2000 du Monde de la Musique
Cinq diapasons
Récommandé par Classica
Alexander Borodin: cello sonata - piano quintet in c minor
String Quartet No.2 in D major
Sonata for Cello and Piano in B minor
Piano Quintet in C minor
Praga
PRD250139
1999
Ludwig van Beethoven (Vol. 6)
String Quartet No.15 in A minor, Op.132
String Quartet No.16 in F major, Op.135
Praga
PRD 250133
Bedřich Smetana
String Quartet No.1 in E minor "From my life"
From the Homeland - Two duos for violin and piano
String Quartet No.2 in D minor
Vaclav Remes (Violin), Sachiko Kayahara (Piano)
Praga
PRD250128
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
« 9 » de Répertoire
Cinq diapasons
Classica
1998
Antonín Dvořák
String Quartet No.12 in F major, Op.96 / B 179 "The American"
Terzetto in C major, Op.74 / B 148
Bagatelles, Op.47 / B 79
PRD250110
Joseph Haydn
String Quartet Op. 76 No.4 "Sunrise"
String Quartet Op. 76 No.5
String Quartet Op. 76 No.6
Praga
PRD 250070
Diapason d'Or
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
Alexander von Zemlinsky
String Quartet No.1 in A major Op.4
Two movements for String Quartet
String Quartet No.4 Op.25
Praga
PRD 250107
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
« 10 » de Répertoire
1997
Anton Bruckner
Anton Bruckner: String Quintet with viola
W.-A. Mozart: String Quintet with viola K.516
Jan Talich (Viola)
Praga
PRD 250104
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
Leoš Janáček
String Quartet No.1 "Kreutzer Sonata"
Sonata for Violin and Piano
String Quartet No.2 "Intimate Letters"
Praga
PRD250108
Bohuslav Martinù
String Quartet no 7 "Concerto da Camera" H. 314
Quartet for clarinet, french horn, cello, side drums H. 139 - Quartet for oboe, violin, cello, piano H. 315 - Mazurka-Notturno for oboe, two violins H. 325 - Nonetto H. 374
Prazak Quartet, Czech Nonet, Milan Langer, Vlastimil Mares
Praga
PRD 250097
Arnold Schönberg
String Quartet No.1 in D minor Op.7
String Quartet No.2 in F sharp minor Op.10 with soprano.
Christine Whittlesey (Soprano)
PRD 250112
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
Cinq diapasons
Recommandé par Classica
Franz Schubert
String Quartet No.13 in A minor Op.29 / D.804 Rosamunde
String Quartet No.14 in D minor D.810 "Death and the Maiden"
Praga
PRD 250091
Grand Prix Charles Cros 1996
Diapason d'Or
« Choc » de 1996
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
String Quintet with viola in G minor K 516
Anton Bruckner: String Quintet with viola in F major
Jan Talich (Viola)
Praga
PRD 250104
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
1996
Antonin Dvorak
String Quartet No.10 Op.51 / B.92 "Slavonic"
String Quartet No.13 Op.106 / B.192
Praga
PRD 250102
4 Clés Télérama
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
Diapason d'Or
« 9 » de Répertoire
Antonin Dvorak
String Quartet No.14 Op.105 / B.193
String Quartet No.12 Op.96 / B.179 "The American"
Praga
PRD 250136
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
« 9 » de Répertoire
Cinq diapasons
Classica
1995
Joseph Haydn
String Quartet Op.76, No.1 "Erdödy"
String Quartet Op.76, No.2 "Fifths"
String Quartet Op.76, No.3 "Emperor"
Praga
PRD 250069
Diapason d'Or
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Divertimento No.11, KV 251 "Nannerl Septet" - Quartet with oboe KV 370, Adagio KB 580a
Horn Quintet KV 407
Cezch Nonet - Prazak Quartet
Praga
PRD 250095
1992
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Prussian String Quartets
String Quartet No.21 in D major K 575
String Quartet No.22 in B flat major K 589
String Quartet No.23 in Fa major K 590
Praga
PRD 250026
« Choc » du Monde de la Musique
Repertoire
Pražák String Quartet
Repertoire
Composer
Arriaga J.-Ch.
String Quartet no. 2 A dur
Barber Samuel
Adagio for strings Op. 11
Beethoven Ludwig van
String Quartet no. 1 Op. 18/1 F dur
no. 2 Op. 18/2 G dur
no. 3 Op. 18/3 D dur
no. 4 Op. 18/4 C moll
no. 5 Op. 18/5 A dur
no. 6 Op. 18/6 B dur
no. 7 Op. 59/1 F dur
no. 8 Op. 59/2 E dur
no. 9 Op. 59/3 C dur
no. 10 Op. 74 Es dur
no. 11 Op. 95 F moll
no. 12 Op. 127 Es dur
no. 13 Op. 130 B dur
no. 14 Op. 131 C moll
no. 15 Op. 132 A moll
no. 16 Op. 135 F dur
Grosse Fuge no. 17
Op.133 B dur
Berg Alban
Lyric suite for SQt
String Quartet Op. 3
Borodin Alexander String Quartet no. 2 D dur
Brahms Johannes String Quartet no. 1 Op. 51/1 C moll
no. 2 Op. 51/2 A moll
no. 3 Op. 67 B dur
Dusapin Pascal
String Quartet „dedicated to the Prazak Quartet" no. 4
Ehrlich Abel
Piú avanti ! Op. 27
Haydn Joseph
String Quartet
„Sonnenquartet" no. 34 Op. 20/4 D dur
no. 36 Op. 20/6 A dur
„The Lark" no. 67 Op. 64/5 D dur
„Reiterquartett" no. 74 Op. 74/3 G moll
no. 75 Op. 76/1
„Fifths" no. 76 Op. 76/2 D moll
„The Emperor" no. 77 Op. 76/3 C dur
„Sunrise" no. 78 Op. 76/4 B dur
no. 79 Op. 76/5 D dur
no. 80 Op. 76/6 Es dur
Korngold Erich Wolfg.
String Quartet no.1 Op. 16 A dur
Milhaud Darius
String Quartet no. 14 Op. 291
no. 15 Op. 291
Octet = SQ no.14+15 Op. 291
Mozart Wolfgang A.
String Quartet no. 3 KV 156 G dur
no. 14 KV 387 G dur
no. 15 KV 421 D moll
no. 16 KV 424 A dur
„ The hunt" no. 17 KV 428 Es dur
no. 18 KV 458 B dur
„Dissonance" no. 19 KV 465 C dur
no. 21 KV 575 D dur
no. 22 KV 589 B dur
no. 23 KV 590 F dur
Prokofiev Sergeï
String Quartet "Kabardin" no. 2 Op. 92
Ravel Maurice
String Quartet F dur
Rossini Gioachino
Sonata no. 2 A dur
Schönberg Arnold
String Quartet D dur
no. 1 Op. 7
no. 2 Op. 10
no. 3 Op. 30
no. 4 Op. 37
Schubert Franz
String Quartet no. 7 D. 94 D dur
no. 10 Op. 125/1
D 87 Es dur
„Rosamunde" no. 13 Op. 29
D. 804 A moll
Der Tod und das Mädchen no. 14 D. 810 D moll
String Qintet - with 2 celli D. 956
Op. 163 G dur
Schumann Robert
String Quartet no. 1 Op. 41/1 A moll
Stravinsky Igor
Three pieces for SQ 1914
Webern Anton
„Langsamer Satz"
String Quartet Op. 28
Six Bagatekkes Op. 9
Zemlinsky Alexander
Two movements 1927
String Quartet no. 1 Op. 4
no. 2 Op. 15
no. 3 Op. 19
no. 4 Op. 25
Czech composers
Dvorak Antonin
String Quartet no. 9 Op. 34
B. 75 D moll
no. 10 Op. 51
B. 92 Es dur
no. 11 Op. 61
B. 121 C dur
„American" no. 12 Op. 96
D. 179 F dur
no. 13 Op. 106
B. 192 G durx
no. 14 Op. 105
B. 193 As dur
Cypressen B. 152
Feld Jindrich
String Quartet dedicated to Prazak Quartet no. 4 1965
no. 6
Gemrod J.
Bukolika
Janacek Leos
String Quartet „Kreutzer sonata" no. 1
„Intimate letter" no. 2
Kvech Otomar
String Quartet no. 2
no. 5
Lukas Zdenek
String Quartet no. 4
Martinu Bohuslav
String Quartet no. 3 H. 183
„Concerto da camera" no. 7 H. 314
Moravec O.
String Quartet no. 2
Novak V.
String Quartet no. 2 Op. 35 D dur
Pauer J.
Miniatures no. 2
Richter Frantisek X.
String Quartet C dur
Ryba J.J.
String Quartet D moll
Schulhoff Erwin
Five pieces for SQ
Concertino (with orchestra)
Smetana Bedrich
String Quartet
„From my Life" no. 1 E moll
no. 2 D moll
Smetana R.
Invence
Suk Joseph
Meditace St.Vaclav
Chamber music pieces
Bach J. Ch.
Sinfonie concertante for
violin/cello & orchestra A dur
Boccherini Luigi
Quintet with guitar D dur
Quintet with 2 celli C dur
Beethoven Ludwig van
Piano Quintet Op. 16 Es dur
Irish and Welsh songs for voice/piano/violin/cello
Duo for viola/cello Es Dur
Brahms Johannes
Piano Quartet no. 1 Op. 25 G moll
Piano Quintet Op. 34 F moll
Clarinet Quintet Op. 115 H moll
String Sextet no. 1 Op. 18 B dur
String Sextet no. 2 Op. 36 G dur
String Quintet with viola no. 2 Op. 111 G dur
Britten Benjamin
Oboe Quartet Op. 2
Apolo -
Quartet, piano & orchestra
Bruchkner Anton
Quintet with viola F dur x
Chausson Ernest
Concerto for violin, piano, string quartet Op. 21 D moll
Debussy Claude
2 dances for Harp, quartet, double-bass
Franck César
Piano Quintet F moll
Gade N.V.
Octet Op. 17
Mahler Gustav
Piano Quartet
Mendelssohn B. Felix
Octet Op. 20 Es dur
Piano Sextet Op. 110
Milhaud Darius
Octet (SQ 14 + 15) Op. 291
Mozart Wolfgang A.
Quintet with Clarinet KV 581 A dur
Quintet with Viola KV 406 C moll
Quintet with Viola KV 516 G moll
Quintet with Viola KV 593 D dur
Quartet with flute
Adagio and Rondo for Glasharmonica, flute, oboe, violin, cello KV 617
Piano Quartet KV 478 G moll
Piano Quartet KV 493 Es dur
Kegelstatt Trio - piano, violin, viola
Oboe Quartet KV 370 F dur
Horn Quintet KV 407 Es dur
Duo violin & viola KV 424 B dur
Penderecky K,
Clarinet Quintet
Sextet for Piano, Clarinet, Horn, Violin, Viola, Cello
String Trio
Prokofiev Sergeï
Ouverture on Hebrew themes for Clarinet & SQ Op. 34
Ravel Maurice
Introduction & Allegro
Septet for Harp, Flute, Clarinet, Quartet
Respighi Ottorino
„Il tramonto", for
mezzosoprano & Quartet
Rossini Giochimo
Sonata - 2 violins, cello,
double-bass no. 2 A dur
Schnittke Alfred
Piano Quintet
Schönberg Arnold
Quartet with Soprano no. 2
String trio Op. 45
String Sextet „Die
Verklärte Nacht" Op. 4
Schubert Franz
Notturno for Piano Trio Op. 148
Quintet op. 114, „the Trout" A dur
Quintet with 2 celli D, 956 C dur
Schumann Robert
Piano Quartet Op. 47 Es dur
Piano Quintet Op. 44 Es dur
Shostakovitch Dimitri
Piano quintet Op. 57 G dur
Octet Op. 11 G moll
Sphor Louis
Octet E dur
Tournier M.
Images f Harp and Quartet
Weber Karl Maria
Clarinet Quintet Op. 34 B dur
Webern Anton
String Trio Op. 20
Piano Quintet
Wieland M.
Octet
Chamber music pieces : Czech composers
Bach/Bodorova Kunst der Fuge, for string Octet
Dvorak Antonin
Piano Quintet Op. 5 A dur
Piano Quintet Op. 81 A dur
Sextet Op. 48 A dur
Bagatelles Op. 47 G moll
Terzetto Op. 74 C dur
Quintet with double bass Op. 77 G dur
Piano Quartet Op. 87 Es dur
Piano trio, „Dumky" Op. 90
Viola Quntet Op. 97 Es dur
Feld Jindrich
Doppelquartet
Duo for violin/cello
String trio
Clarinet (Saxophon) quintet
Gemrot J.
Piano Quintet
Hummel Johann N.
Piano Quintet Op. 87 Es dur
Janaceck Leos
Concertino for Piano, Clarinet, Horn, 2 Violins, Viola
Jerabek P.
Piano Trio
Klusák J.
„Slicna rusovlaska", for Soprano and quartet
Krommer Franz
Clarinet Quintet Op. 95 B dur
Kvech Otomar
Piano Quintet
Martinu Bohuslav
Duo for violin/cello no. 1 H. 157
Madrigals (3) for violin viola H. 313
Nonet (fragment) H. 144
Nonet H. 374
Mazurka-Nokturno H. 325
Quartet for Oboe, Violin, Cello, Piano H. 315
Pichl J.V.
Oboe Quartet Es dur
Rychlik J.
String Trio
Schulhoff Erwin
Duo violon / cello
Stamic Karl
Clarinet Quintet Op. 19/3 Es dur
Stich Punto J.
Horn concerto no. 1
Horn concerto no. 2
Suk Joseph
Piano Quartet Op. 1
String sextet H. 224
reviews
Pražák String Quartet
reviews
Concerts
| Chamber Music San Francisco - 2009 The Prazak Quartet was not shy about bringing these emotions to the surface, providing a performance that not only satisfied those familiar with Janacek but also could win him more followers. Stephen Smoliar, Examiner.com - March 2009 |
| The Gower Festival - 2008 "The Prazaks played his opus 106 with consummate musicianship, perfect balance and infectious joy. A triumph." NH Reeve, Gower Festival Press Reviews - July 2008 |
| The Music in the Round Series – Portsmouth Cathedral, 2005 |
| "Renowned for their Dvorak recordings, they played the D major quartet, op 61, with a commanding assurance that brought out not only the strongly characterized tunes but also the dramatic development of the music…Perhaps the most satisfying part of the evening came with the Haydn ‘s ‘Rider’ quartet. This masterly example of the classical style was given a truly excellent performance. The balance between rhythmic vitality, lyricism and subtle textures was near ideal." |
| Terry Barfoot, the News – January 2006 |
| The Music in the Round Series – Shrewsbury School, 2005 |
| "…To all these works, the Prazaks – which means citizens of Prague – brought a consummate musicianship which must be in part the result of playing together for thirty years… From the opening notes of the Haydn it was clear that these four players listened intently to each other…The cello and the viola were magnificent so the players gave us sounds ranging from the most profound gravitas to the lightness of whipped cream… This was a memorable concert." |
| Andrew Petch, November 2005 |
| The Music in the Round Series – The Maidment Hall, 2005 |
| "The cello and the viola were magnificent so the players gave us sounds ranging from the most profound gravitas to the lightness of whipped cream… The opening of the Haydn showed us just how finely judged were their tempi and their tonal balance which worked brilliantly to showcase Haydn’s sparkling wit." |
| The Chronicle – 18 November 2005 |
| Wigmore Hall, 2003 |
| "Excelling in Smetana’s Quartet no. 2, the ensemble became the best of storytellers, mixing urgency, reflection and poignancy. It was in the Mozart K575, though, that the group truly triumphed, demonstrating that it understands the harmonic essay of a movement in all its shades. Phrasing was exquisitely well pointed and shaped, with intuitive responses between the players. Quite simply a joy to hear." |
| The Strad – September 2003 |
| USA Bi-annual Tour |
| "The rhythms were exactingly laid out, the synchronization, at often blinding speed, flawless. I can think of no players on earth who could have plumbed the soul of this piece more completely, nor risen to its ferocious technical demands so well. In the end, as the packed house exploded to its feet, I had the feeling that I had seen the birth of a truly important work destined to become an early benchmark among the enduring classics from the new millennium." |
| Tucson (Arizona) Citizen – 13 March 2003 |
| "All of the qualities associated with the Eastern European approach to string playing were on display, especially a warm, mellow, burnished sound that never hinted at stridency even during the most intense passages….During passages of distinct individuality, it was uncanny how the musicians so utterly inhabited their characters, yet remained in perfect sync with each other, no matter how contradictory and conflicted the dialogue….Definitive may be the most overused adjective in the critic's vocabulary, but no other single word more aptly describes the achievement by this superb foursome." |
| Chicago Tribune – 25 November 2002 |
| "Its jolting performance of Bedrich Smetana's First String Quartet….For all the differences and idiosyncratic departures from the current norm of chamber music playing, the Pražák's performance was authentic to the marrow." |
| Houston Chronicle – 06 November 2002 |
| Opera du Rhin, Strasbourg |
| "The ensemble ranks among the best quartets in the world….There is within the quartet a clear distribution of the roles and a great individual focus and concentration which give the ensemble a perfect balance in the performance as well as a great complicity and unity. An individual virtuosity which perfectly melts in the ensemble, always at the service of the piece." |
| Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alsace – February 2002 |
| Auditorium de Faculté de médecine, Paris |
| "…The ensemble has reached a degree of extreme perfection. Sumptuous sonority, radiant and dense… an incomparable art of musical communication while maintaining a perfect unity and a spirit…" |
| La Provence – January 2002 |
| "A tone that was warm and shapely crystalline to allow the textures and individual lines to be savored. It was the kind of virtuosity that does not call attention to itself, but leaves a listener feeling secure that the music is in capable hands….A hot-blooded, richly textured reading…" |
| The New York Times – 6 February 2001 |
| "Performed with mastery and the freedom that comes with deep identification with the music …the members perform rhapsodically and flamboyantly but in absolutely effortless synchronitcity with one another…Often the music took on a three-dimensional physicality…Clearly this is a quartet you can trust." |
| Philadelphia Inquirer – 8 February 2001 |
| "An evening of absorbing music-making…The Pražák explored every expressive corner of the piece. Janá?ek’s explosive episodes rarely have sounded more vibrant or unsettling… The vehemence and poetry the Pražák brought to the score made this an engrossing experience…Bold, sweet and always imaginative, the Pražák honored the piece (Beethoven op 131) as the splendidly varied journey it is when inspired musicians put minds and hearts together." |
| The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) – 8 February 2001 |
| "Outstanding…Extraordinary…A vivid and moving experience…An exceptional evening of music-making." |
| The Dallas Morning News – 20 February 2001 |
| Wigmore Hall |
| "A warmth that recalled the proximity of coffee house and concert hall in the old Austro-Hungarian empire." |
| The Strad – August 1999 |
| "The Pražák’s excellent sense of rhythm and meticulous attention to dynamics is allied to a high level of musical understanding…especially convincing…beautifully poised...splendid." |
| Gramophone – March 1999 |
Recordings
| Beethoven String Quartets (PRD250181) |
| "The Prazak’s Beethoven is more searching and totally satisfying than any presently before us. Employing a wide dynamic range, the account of the two late quartets simmers and erupts as the music demands. A disc to treasure." |
| David Denton, The Yorkshire Post |
| Beethoven String Quartets (PRD/DSD250183) |
| "thoroughly musical performances." |
| BBC Music Magazine – April 2004 |
| Beethoven Grosse Fuge op 133, String Quartet No 13 op 130 (PRD/DSD250206) |
| "with the added benefit of exceptionally good sound quality it takes its place among the recommended recordings." |
| The Strad – November 2004 |
| Dvorak String Quartet in C, op 61, Cypresses for String Quartet B152 (PRD/DSD250198) |
| "it is the Scherzo that underlines their enterprising way with the work as a whole. It goes with a superb swing, so that the finale, a true Vivace, is liable to sweep anyone off their feet. "The Cypresses are performed with exceptional freedom and romantic ardour." |
| The Strad – April 2005 |
| "The Prazák Quartet is among the handful of string quartets at the very top of a crowded field… the inescapable result of their playing--full of fire, rhythmic snap, well-blended tone, unerring tempos, and interpretive insights." |
| ClassicsToday.com – 10/10 – 17 May 2005 |
| Mozart String Quintets (PRD 350 012) |
| "This is distinguished Mozart playing, effectively blending sweetness, energy, intelligence and poignant sadness." |
| The Strad – November 2005 |
| Mendelssohn Octet in E flat major op 20, Piano Sextet in D op 110 (PRD/DSD 250 221) |
| "[The Pražák Quartet’s] interpretation of the Andante has all the requisite poetry and their Scherzo is a marvel of colouristic delicacy, achieved with due speed, lightness and clarity of articulation." |
| The Strad – November 2005 |
| "There isn’t a single moment that fails to convey a feeling of rightness and inevitability." |
| ClassicsToday.com – 10/10 – November 2005 |
| Beethoven – The Complete String Quartets Vol. VII: String Quartet no. 13 op. 130, Great Fugue op. 133 – 2004 – PRAGA PRD 250 206 |
| "…the brilliant ensemble from Prague has reached the peak of international fame over a few years and has just released the last volume of its recording of the complete Beethoven Quartets for Praga. A recording which, as ever with this quartet, reconciles architectural rigour and expansive lyricism, vivacious spirit and delivered conception, the whole served with the densest sonority and loaded with fragrances of Mitteleuropa of which we can only dream of today." |
| Libération – May 2004 |
| Haydn – Quartets op.20 no.6, op. 64 no.5, op.73 no.3 – 2002 – PRAGA 250 169 |
| "The Pražáks fly over summits. The raced elegance, the softness of sound and the rhythmic verve of the ‘Emperor’ – one of the very best versions of this famous piece – does not disgrace the two newly recorded pieces. In the op.20 no.6, one of the most dense quartets, the Czech formation excel themselves…. the popular verve is tinged with refinements and a tasteful reserve, a generous sound and a stylistic accuracy which cannot be found in any other existing recordings… A sublime CD." |
| Diapason – April 2002 |
| "In these pieces, the Pražáks return perfectly not only the balance and the elegant fluidity, but also the humor, the light and a taste for danger which is typically subjacent in their playing…both quartets opp. 20 and 64 witness how well the Pražáks serve Haydn’s music." |
| Classica – April 2002 |
| Schoenberg – Quartet no.‘0’ in D major, String Trio op.45, Fantasy for Violin op.47, Mahler - Piano Quartet (unfinished) – 2002 – PRAGA 250 168 |
| "The rendition of the Trio by the Pražák is a splendor. They perform with a rare and powerful dynamism and bring out, better than any other quartets, the density and the speed of the discourse… The Mahler Quartet benefits from a very internalised reading which makes one shiver." |
| Le Monde de la Musique – December 2001 |
| Berg – Quartet op.3, Lyrical suite, Largo desolato from the Lyrical Suite (version with soprano), Vanda Tabery, soprano, Webern - String Quartet op.28 – 2001 – PRAGA 250 161 |
| "The Pražák succeed in delivering the scores’ sensuality and emotional density with an infinite flexibility and the wish to bring out of the scores the language of the heart. They show their spiritual concentration, intensity and luxuriant sound. A beautiful recording." |
| Diapason – November 2001 |
| "The Pražák Quartet really gets under the skin of these works by Berg and Webern on a disc which fits effortlessly between Viennese delicacy and sobbing expressionist intensity." |
| The Strad – August 2001 |
| Beethoven – Complete String Quartets vol.6 – 2000 – PRAGA 250 133 |
| "I have greatly admired the Pražák’s sharply defined performances of the Beethoven string quartets. Every dynamic nuance and mood change has been embraced without exaggeration, the group’s perceptive interpretations revealing a total dedication to the music." |
| The Strad – May 2000 |
| Smetana – Quartet no.1 ‘From my Life’, Quartet no.2 in D- – 1999 – PRAGA 250 128 |
| "A further step towards the absolute musical achievement! This second version of Smetana’s Quartets by the Pražák are the best recordings of the pieces on the market. Every quality present in other quartets’ interpretations is there with, on top, such a human truth, a declamation so natural and such a violent emotion that one comes out of the listening overwhelmed." |
| Répertoire des disques – 1999 |
| Zemlinsky – Quartets nos. 1 & 4, 2 Movements for String Quartet – 1998 – PRAGA 250 170 |
| "Zemlinsky’s works here receive persuasive performances from the superb Pražák Quartet. Intonation is faultless and the players surmount the technical demands with consummate ease." |
| The Strad – January 1999 |