Quartetto Bernini - Donizetti: String Quartets (2013)

No one should expect to find masterpieces among Gaetano Donizetti's string quartets, because they were mainly composed as exercises; and though they are plainly derivative of the Classical masters in style and form, they are utterly devoid of genius. As formative works, the three early quartets on this 2004 release from Tactus are of interest to musicologists, but beyond their significance in Donizetti's development as a composer, these pieces had no real influence in the genre, and are not particularly expressive or even noteworthy for melodic or contrapuntal invention. Even so, the Quartetto Bernini has plunged somewhat eccentrically into this obscure body of work and produced an album that might be likable if it didn't keep reminding one of its music's mediocrity. Donizetti's reputation is not diminished by these routine student efforts, neither is it enhanced; yet the liner notes seem to suggest that his string quartets are unjustly neglected and in need of revival. Violinists Marco Serino and Yoko Ichihara, violist Gianfranco Borrelli, and cellist Valeriano Taddeo deliver respectful performances of these string quartets, but even with their best playing and the label's decent recording quality, this CD is not especially worth hearing, and definitely not revelatory.