Janáček L. String Quartets Nos.1,2 / Wihan Quartet

Leoš Janáček (1854-1928) - String Quartet No.1 "The Kreutzer Sonata" 18:07

1. I. Adagio. Con moto 4:02

2. II. Con moto 4:32

3. III. Con moto 4:15

4. IV. Con moto 5:08

Leoš Janáček - String Quartet No.2 "Intimate Letters" 26:07

5. I. Andante 6:01

6. II. Adagio 6:05

7. III. Moderato 6:19

8. IV. Allegro 7:35

Total time 44:20

Wihan Quartet:

Leoš Čepický - 1st violin, Jan Schulmeister - 2nd violin, Jiří Žigmund - viola, Aleš Kaspřík - cello

Musical instruments: 1st violin: G.F. Pressenda, 1830, 2nd violin: P.O. Špidlen, 1952, viola: Č. Musil, 1970, cello: F.A. Homolka, 1854, bows: R. Neudörfer

In his late years, Leoš Janáček wrote his both string quartets. The older he grew, and the more he dwelt on Youth, the more he longed for it. Youth served the composer's inspiration, it was a synonym for love and happiness. Both the quartets share the same philosophical theme, namely the relationship of man to woman and the woman's right to happiness and a free and dignified life. Woman - as mother, wife and lover - recurrent theme in almost all Janáček's works.

(Studio Matouš)