The Hagen are a young Austrian quartet, and their arrival on DG—their one previous record, minus one violin, was Schubert's Trout Quintet (Decca 411 975-1DH, 2/85; CD 411 975-2DH, 4/85)—is discussed this month by Stephen Johnson. Here it is enough to say that the oldest of the four players, Lukas, is only 23, and that they are all aware that their interpretations ''change from performance to performance; it all depends on how we feel and on the atmosphere of the occasion''. This seems to me a most refreshing and promising claim, and must contribute to the freshness of these performances. How far they were in control of the record's dynamic range I do not know; there is in fact a much wider contrast than usual between their pp and their ff, and you will find this either excessive or very exciting; probably the latter. Here and there I noticed effective touches of rubato I'd not noticed in other performances, and the many other touches of the unusual help to make this record excellent listening.
Once or twice I was bothered by their playing slow chords with a slight bulge in the middle, but I realize many listeners like this. They don't make much of the slow movement of the E flat, but this is really a criticism of the composer rather than the players. They manage the difficulties of the finale with admirable dexterity, as also the magical mood of the Scherzo in the A minor. No repeats in the outside movements of the E flat, which I do not regret. They make the Quartettsatz sound dramatic rather than poetic. I much enjoyed this record, and I look forward to their next.'