Mozart: The Prussian Quartets Chiaroscuro Quartet

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791): String Quartet No. 21 in D Major, K. 575 "First Prussian Quartet":
• 1Mozart: String Quartet No. 21 in D Major, K. 575 "First Prussian Quartet": I. Allegretto07:52
• 2Mozart: String Quartet No. 21 in D Major, K. 575 "First Prussian Quartet": II. Andante04:17
• 3Mozart: String Quartet No. 21 in D Major, K. 575 "First Prussian Quartet": III. Menuetto & trio04:43
• 4Mozart: String Quartet No. 21 in D Major, K. 575 "First Prussian Quartet": IV. Allegretto06:04
• String Quartet No. 22 in B-Flat Major, K. 589 "Second Prussian Quartet":
• 5Mozart: String Quartet No. 22 in B-Flat Major, K. 589 "Second Prussian Quartet": I. Allegro08:56
• 6Mozart: String Quartet No. 22 in B-Flat Major, K. 589 "Second Prussian Quartet": II. Larghetto06:11
• 7Mozart: String Quartet No. 22 in B-Flat Major, K. 589 "Second Prussian Quartet": III. Menuetto06:13
• 8Mozart: String Quartet No. 22 in B-Flat Major, K. 589 "Second Prussian Quartet": IV. Allegro assai04:04
• String Quartet No. 23 in F Major, K. 590 "Third Prussian Quartet":
• 9Mozart: String Quartet No. 23 in F Major, K. 590 "Third Prussian Quartet": I. Allegro moderato12:51
• 10Mozart: String Quartet No. 23 in F Major, K. 590 "Third Prussian Quartet": II. Andante11:05
• 11Mozart: String Quartet No. 23 in F Major, K. 590 "Third Prussian Quartet": III. Menuetto03:19
• 12Mozart: String Quartet No. 23 in F Major, K. 590 "Third Prussian Quartet": IV. Allegro10:59
• Total Runtime01:26:34

Info for Mozart: The Prussian Quartets

After their exciting interpretations of Haydn, Beethoven and Schubert, the Chiaroscuro Quartet now turns to Mozart’s Prussian Quartets, his last compositions for this formation. These quartets were written for Friedrich Wilhelm II, King of Prussia and amateur cellist, and offer that instrument an unusually prominent role. The first of the three was composed fairly quickly, in June 1789, but the next two were not completed until the following year, and in the end Mozart’s plan for a set of six came to nothing.

The writing of quartets was never an easy matter for Mozart. However, one would hardly guess that the Prussian quartets were the product of ‘exhausting labour’ (his own words), such is their beguiling ease of workmanship. No. 21 in D major stands out as one of the most melodious chamber compositions of Mozart’s mature period, emanating something of the sensual Mediterranean warmth of the opera Così fan tutte composed shortly afterwards. No. 22 in B flat major also emphasises the importance of melody and gives the ‘royal’ cello some beautiful solos. As for No. 23 in F major, while it is tempting to hear a melancholy, autumnal quality in Mozart’s later works, there is, however, no sense of farewell in this his final string quartet: the spirit of Haydn is everywhere, especially in the finale with its effects borrowed from Hungarian folklore.

Chiaroscuro Quartet

Chiaroscuro Quartet
Formed in 2005, the Chiaroscuro Quartet performs music of the Classical period with historical instruments and approach.

Recently the quartet played their first concert at the Edinburgh International Festival followed by their debut in Germany as part of the Festival Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Highlights in the past took the young ensemble to London's Wigmore Hall, York Early Music Centre, The Sage Gateshead (recorded for BBC Radio 3), Auditorium du Louvre Paris, Théâtre du Jeu-de-Paume in Aix-en-Provence, Grand Théâtre de Dijon, Gulbenkian Foundation Lisbon and a residency in Aldeburgh.

Following the critically acclaimed release of their first album in September 2011, the Chiaroscuro Quartet released its second recording for the French label Aparté in April 2013. The CD including Beethoven's Quartetto serioso, Mozart's Quartet K. 428 and Adagio and Fugue K. 546 received four out of four possible f in the French magazine Télérama and was given the best note for its interpretation in Germany's major magazine for chamber music Ensemble.

In the coming months the quartet will return to the BBC Radio 3 for a lunchtime concert in London and appear on stage of the Nikolaisaal Potsdam and Kunstverein Wiesloch. Concerts in the Netherlands (Concertgebouw Amsterdam), Belgium (Ghent, Handelsbeurs Concertzaal), France (Clermont-Ferrand and Pau) and Spain (Madrid and Bilbao) are scheduled for early 2014.

Since 2009 the Quartet has held a residency at Port-Royal-des-Champs dedicated to Mozart's quartets.

Booklet for Mozart: The Prussian Quartets