Pra​ž​á​k Quartet

The Pražák Quartet, one of the most eminent modern quartets and a major heir to the Czech tradition, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2022.

On this occasion, Praga Digitals present a special edition anniversary box set of 50 CDs featuring all the recordings made between 1992 and 2018 under the guidance of the late Pierre Émile Barbier, founder of the label.

This exceptional box set traces the ensemble’s journey in its historic formation, comprising Václav Remeš (followed by Pavel Hůla from 2010 onwards) on first violin, Vlastimil Holek on second, Josef Klusoň on viola, and Michal Kaňka on cello - prior to its near-complete re-configuration in 2020.

At the heart of the programme are the complete quartets of Beethoven and the very first complete recording of the works of the Second Viennese School (Schoenberg, Berg, Webern), Czech repertoire (Dvořák, Smetana, Janáček, Martinů) and Viennese Classicism (Haydn, Mozart), as well as German Romanticism (Schubert, Brahms, Schumann, Mendelssohn), the Russians (Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Shostakovich), and also Strauss, Mahler, Zemlinsky, Schulhoff.

Their partners include Vanda Tabery and Christine Whittlesey (soprano), Pascal Moraguès (clarinet), Jan Talich and Hatto Beyerle (viola), Jaroslav Tůma (harmonium), Ivan Klánský and Evgeni Koroliov (piano).

The collaboration between the Pražák Quartet and Praga Digitals marks one of the most important epic ventures of modern recording, reminiscent of the golden age of the Amadeus, Juilliard or Alban Berg Quartets - a priceless legacy as much in terms of its scope as its artistry and sound quality, as well as its multiple awards.  50 CDs for 50 years. Happy birthday and long live the Pražáks!

• Ludwig van Beethoven: Streichquartette Nr. 1-16; Große Fuge op. 133
  +Alban Berg: Streichquartett; Lyrische Suite
  +Alexander Borodin: Streichquartett Nr. 2; Klavierquintett; Streichsextett; Serenata alla Spagnola
  +Johannes Brahms: Streichquartette Nr. 1-3; Streichquintett Nr. 2; Klarinettenquintett; Klavierquintett; Streichsextette Nr. 1 & 2
  +Anton Bruckner: Streichquintett
  +Antonin Dvorak: Streichquartette Nr. 10-14; Zypressen für Streichquartett; Klavierquintette op. 5 & 81; Terzetto op. 74 für Streichtrio; Bagatellen op. 47 für 2 Violinen, Cello, Harmonium
  +Jindrich Feld: Streichquartette Nr. 5 & 6; Klarinettenquintett
  +Michael Glinka: Grand Sextet; Divertimento brillante
  +Joseph Haydn: Streichquartette Nr. 36, 46, 48-56, 63, 69-71, 75-80
  +Leos Janacek: Streichquartette Nr. 1 "Kreutzer Sonata" & 2 "Intimate Letters" (in zwei Einspielungen); Violinsonate
  +Gustav Mahler: Klavierquartett
  +Bohuslav Martinu: Streichquartette Nr. 3, 6, 7; Concerto da Camera
  +Felix Mendelssohn: Streichquartett Nr. 1; Streicheroktett
  +Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Streichquartette Nr. 15, 17, 19, 21-23; Streichquintette Nr. 4 & 5 (Nr. 4 in zwei Einspielungen); Klarinettenquintett KV 581; Hornquintett KV 407; Klavierkonzerte Nr. 11-13 (in der Fassung für Klavierquintett)
  +Serge Prokofieff: Streichquartett Nr. 2
  +Arnold Schönberg: Streichquartette Nr. 1-4; Streichquartett D-Dur; Streichtrio op. 45; Fantasie für Violine & Klavier op. 47; Scherzo & Presto für Streichquartett; Kammersymphonie; Verklärte Nacht
  +Dmitri Schostakowitsch: Streichquartette Nr. 7, 8, 14, 15; Klavierquintett; 2 Stücke für Streichquartett
  +Franz Schubert: Streichquartette Nr. 7, 13-15; Streichquintett
  +Erwin Schulhoff: 5 Stücke für Streichquartett
  +Robert Schumann: Streichquartett Nr. 1; Klavierquintett
  +Bedrich Smetana: Streichquartette Nr. 1 & 2 (in zwei Einspielungen)
  +Peter Tschaikowsky: Streichquartett Nr. 1
  +Carl Maria von Weber: Klarinettenquintett
  +Anton Webern: Streichquartett
  +Alexander Zemlinsky: Streichquartette Nr. 1 & 4; 2 Sätze für Streichquartett
  +"Prazak Quartet in Concert 2008"

Vanda Tabery (Sopran), Jaromir Klepac (Klavier), Evgeni Koroliov (Klavier), Marc Coppey (Cello), Jan Peruska (Viola), Pascal Moragues (Klarinette), Vladimir Bukac (Viola), Martin Sedlak (Cello), Ivan Klansky (Klavier), Petr Holman (Viola), Vladimir Fortin (Cello), Vaclav Remes (Violine), Vlastimil Holek (Violine), Josef Kluson (Viola), Michal Kanka (Cello), Jaroslav Tuma (Harmonium), Jan Mach (Klarinette), Sachiko Kayahara (Klavier), Hatto Beyerle (Viola), Pascal Moragues (Klarinette), Vladimira Klanska (Horn), Kocian Quartet, Prazak Quartet a.o.

DDD, 1992-2018