These lovely works certainly deserve more attention on concert programs than they currently get. The two string quartets in particular demonstrate the composer’s compositional mastery at every turn, especially the A minor quartet of 1942/43 with its echoes of the great orchestral works of the same period (the Fourth and Fifth Symphonies and the ballet Job). By and large, the Maggini Quartet does well by the music. I could imagine a silkier tone in both the First and Second Quartets’ Romance movements (how wonderful the Panocha Quartet would sound here!), and no way is the Phantasy Quintet’s second movement a true Prestissimo; but these are minor quibbles considering the dearth of top-quality competition. The group plays with real spirit in the Second Quartet’s Allegro appassionato opening and perfectly captures the mercurial mood of the First Quartet’s finale. Nor, despite my remarks about the slow movements, does the Maggini Quartet ever sound coarse at climaxes or let the rhythmic tension sag. So if you lack these works in your collection, there’s no need to hesitate. This one’s a winner.
