The Zuckerman Chamber Players are a relatively new ensemble composed of violinist’s Pinchas Zukerman’s protégés. The notes state that they have recorded four other CDs, but perhaps some of these have not been released yet—I could find only one other (2006) of another Mozart String Quintet and a Brahms String Quintet. Zukerman has long been a respected and avid Mozartian, and the performance here is really top notch, spirited, confident, and beautifully realized. His younger colleagues play with a devotion and enthusiastic breeziness that catapults this reading to one of the top recordings available. I don’t know if I can ever part with my older and yet equally luscious Juilliard String Quartet versions on Sony, but this one is certainly its peer.
The Dvorak fares no less well. There is a warmth and Czech flavor that this international group captures as if they hailed from Prague themselves, and what proves most reliable in this recording in general is the exceptional tonal qualities of the group. There are no weak links, and each member sports a robust and simply succulent string sound that leaps out of the speakers. Dvorak wrote three of these quintets, and this last one has always been the most popular and ingratiating. With readings like this from a well-established violinist (and how good it is to hear him again after so long) and his fine company, Dvorak is very well served indeed.
The sound is truly exceptional, with an ideal amount of resonance and warmth. This is a not-to-be-missed release despite the number of other recordings you may have, and I do hope that Zukerman and company continue their series.
— Steven Ritter
