The Korngold Collection
Cedille, 2025
10/10
Listen to The Korngold Collection
The always flawless Pacifica Quartet flesh out the work of Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s complete string quartets other rare chamber pieces, which has Orion Weiss, Milena Pájaro-Van De Stadt and Eric Kim in fine form.
“String Quartet No. 1 in A major, Op. 16” opens with Pájaro-Van De Stadt’s stirring viola that radiates tremendous warmth amid the elegant cello across 4 chapters, and “String Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 26” follows with graceful strings that move with fluidity and much emotional depth.
Disc 1 finishes with “String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 34”, where a poetic ambience and strong attention to tonality makes for a eloquent climate, while “String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 34” starts disc 2 with animated viola and Kim’s meticulous cello that dance around each other with tremendous color.
Arriving near the end, “Piano Quintet in E major, Op. 15” allows for Weiss’ unparalleled keys to mesmerize us via the timeless beauty, and “String Sextet in D major, Op. 10” exits with intimacy and adventurousness that you can’t not admire.
Once again, the Pacifica Quartet execute with fascinating precision for a chamber experience we won’t soon forget.
Travels well with: Pacifica Quartet- American Voices; Karisa Chiu- Home