Molique

String Quartets, Op 18 - No 1; No 2 Mannheim Quartet (Andreas Krecher, Shinkyung Kim vns Nildas Schwarz viz Armin Fromm vc) CPO ® CP0777 149-2 (58' • DOD)

Discover a Schubert contemporary

Bernhard Molique was a contemporary of Mendelssohn and Schubert, yet lived 20 years beyond either. As a 14-year-old prodigy he studied briefly under Spohr and he was to enjoy that composer's facility in his own chamber music. These works date from 1834, and there is an all-but-Schubertian darker feeling underlying the interchanges in the fine Andante of the F major No 1 (which the Mannheim players handle sensitively), while the main theme of the Andante of the

A minor is gently touching, its chattering development very pleasing.

But these are essentially classical works with a simple inheritance from Haydn rather than Beethoven's Op 18, although the Minuet (really a scherzo) of No 2 has a Mendelssohnian lightness of touch. In short both are attractive if not consequential works that must be good to play, and make agreeably undemanding listening. The performances are spirited and sympathetic; perhaps the last touch of polish is missing but there is no misplaced elegance. Clean, natural recording, well balanced - and a mid-price-tag would have made the disc more recommendable still. Ivan March