Here is another pleasing disc in this Mozart series, recorded in Budapest and available with an attractive super-bargain price tag. Whereas some earlier issues mixed early and late works, this one contains three mature masterpieces. The Hoffmeister Quartet and the third of the ''Prussian'' triptych are relatively sunny works, without the tensions and strangely revealing intimacies of the magisterial six dedicated to Haydn, but they still radiate intelligence and sensitivity, and the Eder Quartet play them with the kind of suavity that does not exclude strength—as witness the flowing Adagio of K499. Their playing, too, is remarkably fluent and natural-sounding in the elegant finale that follows taken at just the right brisk yet un-breathless pace. They are also convincing in the somewhat declamatory gestures opening the F major Quartet, where the important cello part is well handled by Gyorgy Eder. The quirky minuet is attractively shaped and the finale dances in gipsy style. Incidentally, this work has no real slow movement, none of the four being slower than Allegretto.
It is only the Adagio and Fugue in C minor that strikes a sombre note on this disc. Here, too, is fine playing, and this dark and compelling piece weaves its spell. I have commented before on the recorded 1 tone of this Eder series: it's rather rich for this music, but one gets used to it.'