String Quartets (No.1 In G Major, K.80 / No.24 (Divertimento) In D Major, K.136 / No.25 (Divertimento) In B Flat Major, K.137 / No.26 (Divertimento) In F Major, K.138)

These recordings feature the Barylli Quartet, an ensemble founded by Walter Barylli, who served as the concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic for many years. The interpretations were captured during the post-war era, a period when the Westminster label gained significant critical acclaim for its high-fidelity recordings of the Austro-German classical repertoire. These performances reflect the Viennese tradition of Mozart interpretation, characterized by a refined, lyrical approach and an intimate sense of ensemble cohesion.

The repertoire spans Mozart’s early development, pairing his first string quartet, written in 1770 during his youth in Italy, with the three Divertimenti composed in Salzburg in 1772. The Divertimenti, often performed by string quartets despite their orchestral-leaning structure, are noted for their bright, graceful charm and technical agility. The Westminster sessions sought to preserve the specific, idiomatic warmth of the Viennese school, which was highly regarded at the time for its technical precision and adherence to classical stylistic nuances.