The Janacek Quartet 

was formed in 1947 by students of Vasa cerny at the Conservatory of Brno, originally under the name JAMU Quartet. The quartet initially concentrated mainly on Janacek's chamber works. In 1949, the ensemble changed its name to Janáček Quartet, after the Moravian composer Leos Janacek. Travnicek had some musical ties with him (he was a student of Frantisek Kudlacek, a member of Moravian Quartet that premiered Janacek¡¯s String Quartet No. 2., "Intimate Letters" and edited the work in cooperation with the composer).

The substitution of Adolf Sykora for Miroslav Matyas in 1952 was the only personnel change during the first twenty-five years, until the death of Jiri Travnicek in 1973. Winning a competition in the former West Berlin in 1955 opened the door to great concert halls and since then they have gained international recognition. Recordings by the quartet have won numerous awards, including the Grand Prix of the Charles Cros Academy, and the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (both for recording of Janáček¡¯s string quartets). The Janáček Quartet has made recordings for Deutsche Grammophon, Supraphon, Eterna, Decca and other labels.

The quartet is unusual among string quartets in performing without sheet music, from memory. It is also noted for a distinctive style of playing.

Tracklist

Streichquartett F-dur Op. 96

Composed By – Antonín Dvorak

A1 1. Allegro Ma Non Troppo

A2 2. Lento

A3 3. Molto Vivace

A4 4. Finale : Vivace Ma Non Troppo

Streichquartett D-dur Op. 64 Nr. 5 (Lerchenquartett)

Composed By – Joseph Haydn

B1 1. Allegro Moderato

B2 2. Adagio

B3 3. Menuett : Allegretto

B4 4. Finale : Vivace