Petersen Quartett - Mozart: Prussian Quartets (1992)

I highly recommend this 1992 recording of the three "Prussian" quartets by Wolfgang Mozart. The quartets were written in 1789-90 and dedicated to the King of Prussia. Because the king was a dedicated amateur cellist, the works contain solos for that instrument and display it. While I don't think the works are quite as inspired as Mozart's earler set of six quartets (the "Haydn" quartets), that is a tall order, and I have come to very much like them. They are sunny, inventive and sophisticated.

The Petersen Quartet, based in Berlin, has little name recognition here but they may be the world's outstanding quartet based on the recordings I have heard. Even in an age when many quartets boast amazing technical skills, the Petersens stand out. They play with incredible dynamic range (very soft, very loud depending on the music), are expressive and produce insightful interpretations.

I am familiar with the Petersen's recordings of the Schubert "Death and the Maiden" and Beethoven 13th quartet, and found both to be the best I had ever heard. The pace-setter in the "Prussian" quartets category has for me always been the very fine Alban Berg Quartet discs (much better than the American String Quartet or the dull Salomon Quartet interpretations). I found the Petersen version to be incrementally better than the ABQ version. The Petersens take a cerebral approach to this music, emphasize the dramatic dialogue between instruments that is vitally important to Mozart's style, and as always are just perfect technically.

The sonics are very good, although a tad bright. This is an outstanding recording by an ensemble that has enjoyed little US recognition. If you are a fan of Mozart's chamber music, you will want to hear it.