The Strad recommends St. George Quintet’s CD Bohemia Express in its 130th anniversary edition!
The actual album is very fine indeed, presenting readings that shine with understanding and appreciation of the music’s folk influences, while not for a second losing sight of the quintet’s personal identity as polished classical musicians. Melodies sing with lyrical naturalness. Blending is superb – the overall balance of tones and parts, but also the way one phrase grows into the next, and one movement drops into the following one. Always they’re moving as one. Perhaps the highlight is the Suite for Strings, where the impression of cohesion and developing arch of thought runs effortlessly from first movement to fifth. Its Adagio is exquisite.
Read the full review in the May 2020 issue, or click here to be redirected to the review on the website of the Strad.