Dittersdorf: Six String Quartets / Gewandhaus Quar

Gewandhaus-Quartett

Beautiful String Quartets by a contemporary and friend of Mozart and Haydn
I was surprised and delighted by the quality and charm of these Quartets - modelled after Haydn's op 33, say the liner notes - and Dittersdorf once played quartets with Haydn, Mozart, and Vanhal. Quite a group! All 6 are in three movements, major keys, and strive for no great depth of feeling - just a general Gemütlichkeit - but the ideas have novelty, there are modulatory surprises, and there's lots of character. Bravo Dittersdorf! - Stephen Adams, London, Ontario