Artist: Quatuor Ébène, Antoine Tamestit
Album: Mozart: String Quintets K. 515 & 516
Genre: Classical
Release Date: 2023
Audio Format:: FLAC (tracks) 24 bit, 96 kHz
Duration: 01:11:57
Total Tracks: 8
Total Size: 1,42 GB

Tracklist:

1-1. Quatuor Ébène – String Quintet No. 3 in C Major, K. 515: I. Allegro (14:04)
1-2. Quatuor Ébène – String Quintet No. 3 in C Major, K. 515: II. Menuetto. Allegretto (05:32)
1-3. Quatuor Ébène – String Quintet No. 3 in C Major, K. 515: III. Andante (09:26)
1-4. Quatuor Ébène – String Quintet No. 3 in C Major, K. 515: IV. Allegro (07:19)
1-5. Quatuor Ébène – String Quintet No. 4 in G Minor, K. 516: I. Allegro (11:04)
1-6. Quatuor Ébène – String Quintet No. 4 in G Minor, K. 516: II. Menuetto & Trio. Allegretto (04:59)
1-7. Quatuor Ébène – String Quintet No. 4 in G Minor, K. 516: III. Adagio ma non troppo (08:59)
1-8. Quatuor Ébène – String Quintet No. 4 in G Minor, K. 516: IV. Adagio – Allegro (10:30)

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The 2004 edition of the ARD International Competition in Munich saw the paths of violist Antoine Tamestit and members of the Ebène Quartet cross. A meeting of champions on a day to remember, with these artists taking first place in their respective categories. Their collaborations have multiplied over the years, finally converging on a first joint recording entitled Round Midnight, which ended with a sumptuous rendition of Schoeberg’s Transfigured Night.

But in this case the new ensemble is committed to the genius of Mozart, through his Quintet No. 3 K.515 and No. 4 K.516. In the first, the group explores the highly contrasting moods in Mozart’s writing, alternating between the abundant energy of the first and fourth movements, and the melancholic lethargy of the second and third. A roller coaster of emotions, guided by clever playing and a lovely, enveloping tonality. On the other hand, Quartet K.516 has darker colours, the key of G minor in Mozart’s work often being associated with distress and sorrow. It took on a particular meaning in 1787, at a time when the composer was worried about his father’s health. The Ebène quartet and Tamestit draw a striking chiaroscuro from the score, magnified by intelligent choices with regards to the tempi, leaving room for perfect spaces that allow the piece to breathe. – Pierre Lamy