Dragon Quartet: Schubert & Dvořák

Top level string quartets are a fairly new concept in China, but the few there are tend to present faithful perspectives on centuries-old repertoire. The Dragon Quartet was established in 2012 and have already created a sizeable reputation through playing that is incisive and clean, engaging and warm, if leaning occasionally towards the matter-offact. That’s the instant impression from their Death and the Maiden – Schubert’s famous D minor Quartet – which they pair here with Dvořák’s equally mainstream “American” Quartet. There’s a tantalising purity in their Schubert, rhythmically buoyant in the opening Allegro, increasingly nuanced in the initially motorised Andante, unfussy in the enthusiasm of the Scherzo and Presto. Much the same can be said for the Dvořák, always neat, but crying out for caution to be thrown to the wind. There are already plenty of excellent recordings of this music. This one is more a straightforward option than a telling alternative.