Cuarteto Casals - — Mozart - Early String Quartet...

Notably fast Andantes and finales that often "tear away" at top speed.

A clear, bright tone with minimal use of vibrato to avoid over-romanticizing the early classical style.

The 3-CD set includes all 13 of Mozart's "early" quartets (K. 80, K. 155–160, and K. 168–173), along with the three "Salzburg" Divertimenti (K. 136–138). Runtime: Approximately 228 minutes. Performance Style Cuarteto Casals - Mozart - Early String Quartet...

Often called the "Salzburg Symphonies," these are performed with a focus on lightness and agility. Mozart: Early QuartetsCuarteto Casals - Classics Today

Reviewers from Gramophone praised the quartet's ability to adapt their style to the teenage Mozart, highlighting the "unusual musical insight" and lack of sentimentality. Notably fast Andantes and finales that often "tear

Critics at Classics Today were much harsher, describing the approach as having "clunky phrasing" and "minimal vibrato" that made for a "real chore" to hear, particularly in the D minor quartet K. 173. Track Highlights Notable Features Quartet No. 1 in G, K. 80

Sudden fortes are often attacked with considerable force, contrasting with extremely delicate quiet passages. 136–138)

The ensemble adopted a for these teenage works, marked by: