Originally published on February 16
Of Mozart’s six two-viola String Quintets, this large-scale pair might be considered the set’s crowning glories, and are given wonderful outings by the Ébène members and guest viola-player Antoine Tamestit. Superb teamwork, outer-movement discourses that compel attention (Raphaël Merlin’s cello makes a gloriously rich tone), wonderfully expressive, with perfectly judged tempos for readings that live, breathe and generously communicate, with a wide dynamic range, singing slow movements and dancing Minuets – all for for the listener’s pleasure and enlightenment, whether the light of the C-major (K515) or the dark of the G-minor, captured in tangible sound (June 2020). Erato 5054197213328 is released on March 17 and is to be cherished.