Fibich Z. Thema and Variations, String Quartet, Smetana B. String Quartet / Doležal Q.

Zdeněk Fibich (1850 - 1900) - Thema and Variations B flat major (1877 / 1883)

1. Thema. (Assai moderato) 1:00

2. Var. I. (Poco piu mosso assai leggiero) 1:11

3. Var. II. (Con moto e appassionato) 0:59

4. Var. III. (Andante espressivo) 1:22

5. Var. IV. (Allegro) 0:37

6. Var. V. (Allegretto) 1:03

7. Var. VI. (Vivace) 0:22

8. Var. VII. (Larghetto) 1:38

9. Var. VIII. (Allegretto) 0:34

10. Var. IX. (Andante con moto) 1:05

11. Coda. (Lento non troppo ma espressivo) 2:13

Zdeněk Fibich (1850 - 1900) - String quartet G major, Op.8 (1878)

12. Allegro moderato. 9:15

13. Adagio. 6:22

14. Scherzo. (Allegro scherzando) 4:28

15. Finale. (Allegro vivace) 7:51

Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884) - String quartet D minor, No. 2 (1882 - 1883)

16. Allegro 5:12

17. Allegro moderato 5:23

18. Allegro non piu moderato, ma agitato e con fuoco 4:54

19. Finale. Presto 2:51

Doležal Quartet:

Jiří Fišer violin, Vladimír Kučera violin, Karel Doležal viola, Petr Hejný cello

The Doležal Quartet belongs to the respected lineage of Czech string quartets whose artistry is rooted in the country’s rich chamber-music tradition. Formed by Jiří Fišer and Vladimír Kučera (violins), Karel Doležal (viola), and Petr Hejný (cello), the ensemble brings together musicians with long-standing experience on the Czech concert scene. Their playing is marked by a cultivated sound, structural clarity, and a natural sense for the expressive nuances of the Romantic and late-Romantic repertoire.

A significant part of the quartet’s artistic identity lies in its commitment to Czech music. Their recordings of Zdeněk Fibich and Bedřich Smetana demonstrate a deep understanding of the stylistic and emotional world of these composers. In Fibich’s Theme and Variations and String Quartet in G major, the ensemble highlights the composer’s lyrical invention, formal sophistication, and distinctive rhythmic vitality. Their interpretation of Smetana’s String Quartet No. 2 captures the work’s dramatic tension and psychological depth, qualities closely tied to the composer’s late creative period.

The Doležal Quartet’s performances balance scholarly respect for the score with a vivid, communicative approach that brings the music to life for contemporary audiences. Their recordings for the Arta label reflect a long-term dedication to presenting Czech chamber music with both authenticity and artistic conviction. Through their work, the ensemble contributes to the ongoing appreciation of this repertoire and affirms its place within the broader European quartet tradition.

(Arta Records 1996)