The Pra½ák’s Emperor Quartet has been available for some time‚ as part of their complete Op 76 set on two separately available CDs; the other two items were recorded last year. Their bright‚ bold‚ poised playing brings out all Haydn’s vigour and earthiness; the opening allegros of Op 20 No 6 and Op 76 No 3 have an irresistible rhythmic drive. The Pra½ák play really delicately‚ too – the sotto voce fugue that ends Op 20 No 6‚ and the moto perpetuo finale of Op 64 No 5 both have a lightness of touch that enhances their vivacity. It’s rather old­fashioned playing‚ showing little awareness of historically­informed performance practice: to my ears there’s often too much vibrato‚ with long notes sustained at full volume‚ and somewhat unvaried patterns of accentuation. Certainly they don’t find the subtle variations in tone and bowing style that make The Lindsays’ account of the opening movement of the Lark Quartet such a delight. On the other hand the Pra½ák’s playing of the Emperor variations is more solemn and hymn­like than The Lindsays’ – what they lack here in detailed expressive touches they make up in cumulative effect‚ with a memorable senza vibrato start to the final variation and a hushed pianissimo conclusion. Alert‚ sensitive‚ straightforward performances‚ then – a good buy if you want the Emperor and the Lark on a single disc. The recording‚ close and just a little airless‚ accentuates the bright‚ slightly edgy sound.