CIRCUIT OF EXCELLENCE

'... the Lindsays provide performances matching the quality that strides through some of the best of Dvorák.'

Dvorák well served -
with BASIL RAMSEY

Engaging oneself in the delights of Dvorák's chamber music is a pleasure I learnt from my father, with whom in my teens I played piano duets, including a transcription of Dvorák's Bagatelles (string trio and harmonium) and discovered the attractions of this very collection. Those evenings in wartime London come to mind as these miniatures in their proper clothing remind me of their simple beauty. Dvorák is such a natural composer. Ideas flow in profusion, and there is rarely a stale moment.

The Lindsays over four CDs play major and sub-major works -- I refuse the word minor in this context -- with their celebrated vivacity. Dvorák's stay in America stimulated his compositional taste buds, much in favour of pentatonicism. Both the string quartet opus 95 and string quintet opus 96 are known as 'The American' for good reason. Not only is the flavouring piquant but the structure of the movements and the material in development sturdy and, for us, rewarding to absorb.

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