Talich Quartet
Chamber Ensemble
At a glance
Talich Quartet
Chamber Ensemble
supreme performances...the interpretations are so organically and seamlessly imagined…Gramophone
Founded in 1964, the Talich Quartet remains an emblem of the finest Czech musical tradition with international performances at the finest concert halls and chamber music festivals.
Biography —
The Talich Quartet, a group of musicians who are held in high regard and are considered to be one of the best string quartets, has been an emblem of the finest Czech musical tradition for numerous decades. Founded back in 1964 by none other than Jan Talich Sr. during his spell at the prestigious Prague Conservatory, the quartet was given the name of his uncle, the world-renowned chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic from 1919 to 1939, Václav Talich.
In the 1990s, a gradual and total shift in generations occurred in the quartet, which brought in a fresh lease of life to the ensemble while maintaining its rich heritage in concert and recording activities. It was then that Jan Talich Jr., the son of the founder, took up the mantle of the first violin.
The Talich Quartet has been a regular on the world stage, performing on many of the biggest podiums and taking part in global festivals. Their performance at prominent venues like the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York, le Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, the illustrious Salle Gaveau in Paris, London’s famous Wigmore Hall, and Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam have garnered significant acclaim.
The quartet has an awe-inspiring collection of studio recordings and CDs. Even in the current formation, the Talich Quartet has made a mark by recording most of the repertoire of Smetana, Dvořák, and Janáček. Their recording of Janáček’s two quartets was extolled by the authoritative Gramophone magazine and even received a nomination for the Best Chamber Music Recording in 2006. The complete recording of Felix Mendelssohn’s quartet works, which was made available on the Calliope label from 2001 to 2004, was bestowed with immense recognition.
In the year 2022, the quartet launched a CD which contained a fresh recording of Dvořák’s American Quartet, paired with his rarely performed Quartet Movement in F Major and eight waltzes, Op. 54. Dvořák originally composed these waltzes for the piano, but the composer himself arranged two of them for strings. The Talich Quartet has now come forward with a refreshing interpretation and the first-ever recording of the complete work for string quartet, which has been arranged by the distinguished composer Jiří Kabát.
News —
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Reviews —
supreme performances...the interpretations are so organically and seamlessly imagined…
Gramophone
Few prominent chamber ensembles can boast such a long-standing pedigree as the Talich Quartet...But it has to be said that even those coming to this disc without any prior knowledge of the Talich..
BBC Music Magazine
The present incarnation of the Talich Quartet is of course well seasoned to this repertoire. Their playing is both considered and affectionate, but rises to remarkable heights in the performance...
BBC Music Magazine
His three Quartets lean towards Mendelssohn, and offer rich rewards, notably in the slow movements. They are performed here with real understanding.
BBC Music Magazine
these polished and brilliant accounts of Janacek’s two String Quartets seem exemplary and rank alongside many of the finest ever recorded … the playing is splendid in every way … Well worth investigating.
International Record Review
They are finely played by the Talich, a Czech group that, with changing membership, has been flourishing for 50 years.
The Sunday Times
Selected Discography —
Dvořák: 'American' Quartet, 8 Waltzes
BBC Music MagazineFew prominent chamber ensembles can boast such a long-standing pedigree as the Talich Quartet...But it has to be said that even those coming to this disc without any prior knowledge of the Talich..
Dvorak: String Quartets Nos. 10 & 11
BBC Music MagazineThe present incarnation of the Talich Quartet is of course well seasoned to this repertoire. Their playing is both considered and affectionate, but rises to remarkable heights in the performance...
Kalliwoda: String Quartets Nos. 1-3
BBC Music MagazineHis three Quartets lean towards Mendelssohn, and offer rich rewards, notably in the slow movements. They are performed here with real understanding.
Dvorak: String Quartet No. 12 & String Quintet No. 3
BBC Music MagazineThe American Quartet is not just sunny but winningly lyrical with marvellous intensity in the Lento. This performance of the Quintet is certainly among the finest available
Janacek & Schulhoff: String Quartets
International Record Reviewthese polished and brilliant accounts of Janacek’s two String Quartets seem exemplary and rank alongside many of the finest ever recorded … the playing is splendid in every way … Well worth investigating.
Shostakovich: Piano Quintet & String Quartet No. 8
BBC Music MagazineThe control of the drama in Shostakovich's Eighth Quartet is impressive. The same is true of the deeply considered and beautifully balanced performance of the Piano Quintet
Mendelssohn: String Quartets Nos. 3-5
BBC Music MagazineFine well-balanced playing from the Talich in Mendelssohn's delicate Op. 44 quartets.
Dvorak: Quatuor à cordes No. 12 en Fa Majeur, 'Américain', Op. 96 & Quatuor à cordes en Ut Majeur, Op. 61
Haydn: String Quartet, Op. 51 'Seven Last Words'
BBC Music MagazineA luminous, engrossing performance of Haydn's meditative epic
Smetana: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2
BBC Music MagazineThe present incarnation of the Talich Quartet maintains its sterling 50-year reputation. Their way with Smetana is poised rather than hyper-dramatic, andthey make the most of Fibich's elegantly understated First Quartet.
Brahms: String Sextets Nos.1 & 2
The Sunday TimesThey are finely played by the Talich, a Czech group that, with changing membership, has been flourishing for 50 years.
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 13 & Grosse Fuge
BBC Music Magazinesuch lively engagement in the musical argument makes for a riveting performance of Quartet No. 13
Ravel & Debussy: String Quartets
Gramophonesupreme performances...the interpretations are so organically and seamlessly imagined…The subtlety, beauty and sinew of the playing are simply amazing
Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik K525, Adagio & Fugue K546, 3 Divertimenti K136-138
Related Media —
Antonin Dvorak - String Quartet Movement in F Major (B120)
Talich Quartet performs String Quartet Movement in F Major (B120) by Antonín Dvořák as a part of concert in Vila Lanna View on YouTubeBedřich Smetana - String Quartet No. 1 in E minor "From My Life"
Talich Quartet performs String Quartet No. 1 in E minor "From My Life" by Bedřich Smetana as a part of concert in Vila Lanna View on YouTubeDvorak - String Quartet in F major op.96, B179, ‘American’
Fascinated by the folklore of his native Bohemia, and gifted with inexhaustible melodic inventiveness, Antonin Dvorak went through several creative periods as he gradually broke out of the Classical mould; the last of these was deeply influenced by the years he spent in the United States. His kindness and optimism set him apart from the other great Romantics, darker and more tormented in character, and contributed to the unique charm and accessible character of his music, which have earned him justified popularity. View on YouTubeLudwig van Beethoven - String Quartet in C minor Op 18 No. 4
Talich Quartet performs String Quartet in C minor Op 18 No. 4 by Ludwig van Beethoven as a part of concert in Vila Lanna View on YouTubeDownloads —
Contact —
Name
- Danae Eggen