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ClassicsOnline Home » MARTINU: String Quartets Nos. 1 and 2 / Three Horsemen > Review List
The First Quartet lasts almost 40 minutes and is known as the ‘French’ (the nickname was Martinu’s own) and what it lacks in individuality it makes up for in craftsmanship. The Second Quartet (1925) is more concentrated and more complex, and its greater density of incident reflects the influence of Roussel, with whom Martinu was studying. The fill-up is a remarkably accomplished first recording of Tri jezdci, which was written when the composer was twelve. The Martinu Quartet play with spirit and the recording is decent: fresh and lifelike without being outstanding.