More of Haydn's godchildren: this time the Ysaye Quartet send two more of their Mozart ''Haydn'' Quartets out into the world from their customary birthplace in the Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud. The Abbey's acoustic is very much the fifth performer in this continuing series: some listeners may find it comes a little too close for comfort, but the warm Angevin stone certainly enhances the homogeneous sound of this most democratic of quartets.
It does so to particularly attractive effect in the bright morning air of K458's horn-call opening, in the sensitively balanced textures of its Adagio and in the reverberant chromaticism of K428's slow movement, sustained in a marvellously even legato. There are times, though, chez Ysaye, when one wishes they would debate between themselves just a little more fiercely, and sharpen their rhythmic wits rather more vigorously. With the Emerson Quartet's reissued K428 still ringing in my ears, the Ysaye's Menuetto seems on the over-sturdy side. And a sharper attack on entries and sforzandos in the hide-and-seeking finale a tribute par excellence to Haydn—would give both brighter definition to its web of part-writing and just the edge of zest it needs.'