Prazak Quatet

Prazak Quartet - Leos Janacek: String Quartets; Concertino (2014)  Music

Posted by Designol at March 13, 2023
Prazak Quartet - Leos Janacek: String Quartets; Concertino (2014)

Pražák Quartet - Leoš Janáček: String Quartets; Concertino (2014)
with Slávka Pěchočová-Vernerová, piano; Milan Polák, clarinet
Lukáš Kořínek, bassoon; Jan Vobořil, french horn

EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue&Log) ~ 280 Mb | Mp3 (CBR320) ~ 142 Mb | Scans included
Genre: Classical | Label: Praga Digitals | # PRD/DSD 250 301 | Time: 00:59:46

In the last 30 years, the relationship between the leading Czech string quartets and Janáček two String Quartets has evolved markedly. The best Czech performers have always produced fine recordings of these extraordinary works, but more recent generations of players have pursued a different level of engagement. While performances such as that of the Talich Quartet (2005) show remarkable insight, recordings by other quartets, such as the Haas and ≤kampa, grapple with the passion and drama, occasionally even sadism in these turbulent works. The Pražák Quartet has an international reputation in Czech repertoire, in particular for their Dvořák their new recording of Janáček’s Quartets shares many of their fellow ensembles’ keen engagement with the composer’s language.
Kinsky Trio Prague, Prazak Quartet - Debussy: Chamber Music (2013) MCH PS3 ISO + DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Pražák Quartet, Kinsky Trio Prague, and their friends - Debussy: Chamber Music (2013)
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 62:49 min | Front/Rear Covers | 3,64 GB
or DSD64 Stereo (from SACD-ISO to Tracks.dsf) > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | Front/Rear Covers | 1,44 GB
or FLAC 2.0 (carefully converted & encoded to tracks) 24bit/96 kHz | Front/Rear Covers | 1,26 GB
DSD Recording | Features Stereo and Multichannel Surround Sound | Praga Digitals # PRD/DSD 250302

Better known for his works for orchestra or solo piano, Claude Debussy also composed a wealth of beautiful chamber music. This disc featuring the Pražák Quartet and the Kinsky Trio Prague (and invited guests) offers a selection of six works, ranging from the Piano Trio No.1 of 1879, via a fascinating chamber arrangement of the always popular 'Prélude à l'après-midi d'un Faune' to his last work, the Cello Sonata written in 1915. This audiophile quality multi-channel SACD presents these works a unique coupling, not featured on any other disc.
Pražák Quartet & Jaromir Klepac - Arnold Schönberg: String Quartet No. 3, Scherzo, Presto, Chamber Symphony (2010/2022)

Pražák Quartet & Jaromir Klepac - Arnold Schönberg: String Quartet No. 3, Scherzo, Presto, Chamber Symphony (2010/2022)
WEB FLAC (tracks) - 320 Mb | MP3 CBR 320 kbps - 152 Mb | Digital booklet | 01:04:26
Classical | Label: Praga Digitals

The fifth volume devoted to Schönberg’s chamber music. On display here is writing that, after being based on traditional models (youthful Scherzo and Presto), evolves towards a melodic density and clarity of counterpoint making the Chamber Symphony, Op.9 (1906) accomplished and radiant as much in its chamber transcriptions as in the versions for full orchestra. The Quartet No.3 (1926) achieves a masterful balance between rhythm and harmony, melody and counterpoint, horizontality and verticality. All these processes blend in an original art of the continuous variation. By blurring the formal aspect, the PRAŽÁKs make him the heir of other Viennese: Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms… and Beethoven.
Prazák Quartet, Kocian Quartet, Jaromír Klepác - Mendelssohn: String Octet, Piano Sextet (2004)

Prazák Quartet, Kocian Quartet, Jaromír Klepác - Mendelssohn: String Octet, Piano Sextet (2004)
EAC | APE (image+.cue, log) | Covers Included | 60:48 | 292 MB
Genre: Classical | Label: Praga | Catalog: DSD 250221

They mean well, their hearts are in it, and they clearly have the chops. But ultimately, the Prazák Quartet's and Kocian Quartet's recording of Mendelssohn's ineffably evanescent String Octet doesn't quite make the grade. Because for all their good intentions, the Prazák and Kocian quartets' performance does not quite capture the work's ineffable evanescence, its sense of youthful impetuosity and masterful lucidity or its feeling for achingly lovely melodies and strongly effective rhythms.
Pražák Quartet & Jaromir Klepac - Arnold Schönberg: String Quartet No. 3, Scherzo, Presto, Chamber Symphony (2010/2022) [24/96]

Pražák Quartet & Jaromir Klepac - Arnold Schönberg: String Quartet No. 3, Scherzo, Presto, Chamber Symphony (2010/2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24-bit/96 kHz | Front Cover & Digital Booklet | Time - 64:26 minutes | 1,17 GB
Classical | Label: Praga Digitals, Official Digital Download

The fifth volume devoted to Schönberg’s chamber music. On display here is writing that, after being based on traditional models (youthful Scherzo and Presto), evolves towards a melodic density and clarity of counterpoint making the Chamber Symphony, Op.9 (1906) accomplished and radiant as much in its chamber transcriptions as in the versions for full orchestra. The Quartet No.3 (1926) achieves a masterful balance between rhythm and harmony, melody and counterpoint, horizontality and verticality. All these processes blend in an original art of the continuous variation. By blurring the formal aspect, the PRAŽÁKs make him the heir of other Viennese: Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms… and Beethoven.
Pražák Quartet - Ludwig van Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets [7CDs] (2005)

Pražák Quartet - Ludwig van Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets [7CDs] (2005)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 2.22 Gb | Total time: 8:31:53 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Praga Digitals | # PRD/DSD 350 013 | Recorded: 1999-2003

Beethoven's String Quartets are well known for their inventiveness. The mold of the string quartet form, established by Haydn, was shattered by Beethoven's profound expression and expansion of the "rules." Between 1999 and 2003, the renowned Pražák Quartet recorded all of the Beethoven string quartets, and this match of program and performers is one made in heaven.
Pražák Quartet & Zemlinsky Quartet - Bohuslav Martinů: String Quartets Nos. 1, 3 & 6 (2009/2022)

Pražák Quartet & Zemlinsky Quartet - Bohuslav Martinů: String Quartets Nos. 1, 3 & 6 (2009/2022)
WEB FLAC (tracks) - 360 Mb | MP3 CBR 320 kbps - 169 Mb | Digital booklet | 01:12:24
Classical | Label: Praga Digitals

The composer of Julietta left seven string quartets that do not, by any means, form a cycle but rather a succession of testimonies stretching from 1920 to 1947. This second volume – the first is on PRAGA 250 205 - juxtaposed the French Quartet (No. 1), a lengthy and luxurious, homage to Debussy and Dvorak, the shortest (No.3) ‘pocket’ Quartet and the Sixth written in the post-war utopia, a fantastic counterpoint of madrigals for strings with astonishing polymelodicism, introduction da camera to last Symphony No. 6 (Symphonic Fantasies, 1951-53), with his earnest, struggling character and high symphonic spirit.
Pražák Quartet in Concert - Thirty Years after his International Evian Prize: Haydn, Martinů, Feld, Beerhoven (2008)

Pražák Quartet in Concert - Thirty Years after his International Evian Prize: Haydn, Martinů, Feld, Beerhoven (2008)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 367 Mb | Total time: 75:26 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Praga Digitals | # PRD/DSD 350 045 - HM 76 | Recorded: 2006, 2008

Although all of the quartet's original members with the exception of violist Josef Kluson have moved on since its 1972 founding, the Prazák Quartet has maintained many of its original traditions. For starters, the Prazák Quartet has long distinguished itself as an ensemble almost obsessed with technical precision. From its earliest recordings to the present, intonation, articulation, balance, phrasing, and even the matching of vibrato have been among its trademarks. All of these technical proficiencies have never come at the expense of musical integrity. Quite the contrary, in fact; the performances are typically quite passionate and musically sating.

Pražák Quartet - Haydn: The Last Three String Quartets (2021)  Music

Posted by delpotro at Oct. 6, 2021
Pražák Quartet - Haydn: The Last Three String Quartets (2021)

Pražák Quartet - Haydn: The Last Three String Quartets (2021)
WEB FLAC (tracks) - 273 Mb | MP3 CBR 320 kbps - 139 Mb | Digital booklet | 00:59:55
Classical | Label: Praga

In 1799, Haydn undertook the composition of a six quartet series dedicated to the Prince Lobkowitz. The two quartets Op.77 Nos.1 and 2 were the first outcome of this project. Kept busy by the composition of his Seasons and the Harmoniemesse, Haydn couldn't complete the entire series before his passing, but he left two fragments of a third quartet, which make up the Op.103. These three last quartets, bold and full of wit, are the final goodbye of an old master. Underscoring the hand over between two generations of composers, this program pays homage to the Prazak Quartet, which continues the evolution it began in 2015, and opens a new chapter in its history.
Pražák Quartet - Leoš Janáček: String Quartet 1 & 2, Violin Sonata (1997)

Pražák Quartet - Leoš Janáček: String Quartet 1 & 2, Violin Sonata (1997)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 282 Mb | Total time: 60:11 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Praga Digitals | # PRD 250 108 | Recorded: 1997

From the heart of Central Europe in the first quarter of the twentieth century comes this penetrating, challenging, occasionally disturbing, and ever rewarding music for small ensembles. The Prague-born Prazak Quartet is of course equal to the challenge. Leos Janacek’s music for string quartet show what the genre can be. Easily mistaken for a weak, limpid subset of classical music, music for quartet a la Janacek is as sinewy and energetic as it gets.