String Quintets - Quintettes A Cordes - Streichquintette

Released in 1979 by CBS Masterworks, this set of Mozart’s String Quintets marks a significant collaboration between the Juilliard String Quartet and violist John Graham. During this period, the Juilliard ensemble was firmly established as one of the preeminent chamber groups in the world, known for their rigorous intellectual approach to the classical repertoire. By bringing on Graham as a second violist, the group sought to explore the complex, dense textures of Mozart's quintets, which remain some of the most sophisticated examples of 18th-century chamber writing.

The production design reflects the minimalist aesthetic favored by major labels of the late 1970s, emphasizing a clean, scholarly presentation of the scores. Critics of the era frequently praised the Juilliard’s technical precision and their ability to balance Mozart’s inherent grace with the structural intensity required by these specific works. This recording remains a staple for those seeking a mid-century American school interpretation of Mozart, defined by its clarity of line and disciplined ensemble playing.