The Chilingirian's coupling of two more of Dvorak's finest string quartets, in the wake of their disc of Nos. 8 and 9 ((CD) CHAN8755, 5/90), is welcome. They play warmly and responsively in the E flat Quartet, with a nice, easy sense of space in the typical opening arpeggio theme, and move forward intelligently into the second subject; the recording is also intelligent, balancing clearly the passages in which pizzicato and answering arco phrases are matched. The reflective Dumka is calmly played, though there could be a brighter contrast when the music eventually turns to the Vivace middle section.
Similarly, other quartets have played the finale of this work and of the C major Quartet with a more natural sense of high spirits. The Talich (Calliope/Harmonia Mundi), for instance, are lighter and fresher in the final Vivace of the C major; if their articulation is not quite as clear as the Chilingirian's, which is beautifully lucid, this is in part the responsibility of the recording. In general, the Talich have a quicker sense of the Czech elements in the music, as is only to be expected, but also some original points of phrasing and of tempo change which are very convincing. Their coupling is a marvellous performance of the American Quartet.
Admirers of Dvorak's music most likely already possess a well-loved recording of that work, perhaps even the Talich version. Those who do not possess it, or who do not mind duplication of the C major Quartet, will find very agreeable, well-judged performances on this new disc.'