The Prague Concert

The Emerson String Quartet's "The Prague Concert" is a fitting swan song for one of the world's most celebrated chamber music ensembles. Recorded during their final season, this album captures the quartet's last ever concert in Prague, held at the prestigious Dvořák Hall. The program features a trio of masterworks from the German Romantic repertoire, showcasing the ensemble's profound musicality and technical virtuosity.

The album opens with Felix Mendelssohn's String Quartet No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 12, a youthful work that sparkles with energy and charm. The Emerson String Quartet navigates the piece's shifting moods with grace and precision, highlighting the work's lyrical beauty and structural ingenuity. Johannes Brahms' String Quartet No. 3 in B-flat major, Op. 67, follows, with the ensemble delivering a powerful and nuanced performance of this monumental work. The album concludes with Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 14 in A-flat major, Op. 105, a deeply expressive and introspective piece that the Emerson String Quartet imbues with a sense of quiet intensity.

Throughout the album, the Emerson String Quartet's impeccable ensemble playing and deep understanding of the repertoire are on full display. The performances are marked by a rare combination of technical brilliance, musical insight, and emotional resonance, making "The Prague Concert" a fitting testament to the ensemble's distinguished career. With a total duration of 1 hour and 28 minutes, this album offers a substantial and rewarding listening experience for classical music enthusiasts. The album was released on March 18th, 2023, under the UME - Global Clearing House label.

The Emerson String Quartet, formed in 1976 at the prestigious Juilliard School, has been a beacon of excellence in the world of chamber music for over four decades. Named after the esteemed American poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, this American string quartet is renowned for its innovative approach, being one of the first ensembles where the two violinists, Eugene Drucker and Philip Setzer, alternate in the first violin position. With a rich history of performances and recordings, the Emerson String Quartet has solidified its reputation as one of the finest chamber music ensembles globally. Based in New York City, the quartet has been in residence at Stony Brook University, where they continue to inspire and educate new generations of musicians. Their discography spans a wide range of classical repertoire, from Mendelssohn and Brahms to Shostakovich, showcasing their versatility and mastery. Whether performing live or recorded, the Emerson String Quartet delivers performances that are as intellectually stimulating as they are emotionally resonant.