Eroica Quartet

RESONUS RES10101        36’15”

It may seem surprising that, for such a familiar work, this is the first time that the 1825 version has been recorded. Mendelssohn’s fair copy is dated 15 October 1825, when he was only sixteen,  but was not published until 1832 by which time the composer had made substantial changes, including deleting some of the most radical scoring. Though in once sense a more polished work, the revised score is also less challenging than its original.

As such it is well worth hearing, if only to compare with the more familiar version. However this is no academic recording. The playing is as fresh as the score implies, with brisk tempi and an open excitement to the playing in the extensive first movement.

The scherzo shows the most revision with a cut towards the end which excises the repeat of the first subject. While driving the music forward this effectively unbalances the movement but the composer obviously felt this was worth risking. Listeners can judge for themselves but I am glad to have both versions available. The following movements are close to those with which we are familiar in the revision.

Playing and recording throughout are of a very high quality, with the ensemble able to move with ease from a relaxed intimacy to near orchestral authority.

For those who have loved the work for years this is an essential addition. BH