The Hollywood String Quartet was an American string quartet founded by violinist/conductor Felix Slatkin and his wife, cellist Eleanor Aller. The quartet is considered the first American-born and trained classical music chamber group to make an international impact, mainly through their landmark recordings recordings widely regarded as among the most outstanding in the string quartet repertoire. Schoenberg's Verkl?rte Nacht is beautifully played, with careful attention to details of dynamics and phrasing, with unfailing finesse, with consistently sympathetic tone, and most important, with a firm sense of the basic structure. Ravel's Introduction and Allegro is a wonderful performance from Ann Mason Stockton and her collaborators. This Ravel work must be a harpist's dream solo; it exploits every facet of style and colour at the instrument's disposal, and the luscious sound of the flute, clarinet and string quartet blend most effectively with the solo part. Debussy's Danses Sacr?e et Profane rounds out the album on an equally high note, with Ann Mason Stockton on harp and the Concert Arts String Ensemble conducted by Felix Slatkin. Beautiful music and a great performance. Tracklist: Side A: Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951) Verkl?rte Nacht (Transfigured Night), Op. 4 1. Sehr langsam (Stanza 1) 2. Etwas bewegter (Stanza 2) 3. Schwer betont (Stanza 3) 4. Sehr breit und langsam (Stanza 4) 5. Sehr ruhig (Stanza 5) The Hollywood String Quartet With Alvin Dinkin - Viola; Kurt Reher - Cello Side B: Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) 1. Introduction and Allegro The Hollywood String Quartet with Mitchell Lurie - Clarinet; Arthur Gleghorn - Flute; Ann Mason Stockton - Harp Claude Debussy 2. Danses Sacr?e et Profane Concert Arts Strings Conducted By Felix Slatkin With Ann Mason Stockton Harp.
