What the Press Says

“A warmly recommended disc” — Gramophone (UK), July 2011 on Mathieu — Trio & Quintette; Chausson — Concert

“The two chamber pieces on this fantastic disc — a Trio and a Quintet from the early 1950s, exuberantly and masterfully played by Alain Lefèvre, and Montreal’s Quatuor Alcan — evoke the chromatically tonal, dreamy esthetic of early-20th-century France.” — The Toronto Star (Canada), March 2011 on Mathieu — Trio & Quintette; Chausson — Concert

“Cette version du Chausson est l’une des meilleures du catalogue. Ce qu’il y a ici d’extraordinaire, c’est que les deux Mathieu sont joués avec le même total engagement.” — La Presse (Québec), February 2011 on Mathieu — Trio & Quintette; Chausson — Concert

“Le jeune Quatuor Alcan apporte aux deux partitions toute la précision et la fraîcheur souhaitées.” — La Presse (Québec), December 2009 on String Quartets

“The quartet (Alcan) is top-notch, and the sound, from the Quebec concert hall (Domaine Forget), is quite warm, unlike many other releases from the ATMA label. Recommended for anyone interested in Canadian music or in Glenn Gould.” — All-Music Guide (USA), April 2009 on String Quartets

“The world according to Alcan is transparent and open, with a most inviting coherence.” — Le Soleil (Québec), March 2007 on Requiem für Fanny

“The musicians give it (Mendelssohn Quartet Op. 80) an intense yet restrained reading that still amply conveys the heartache. The playing is graceful and poised as it shows how rich and complex Mendelssohn’s music could be.” — The Toronto Star (Canada), February 2007 on Requiem für Fanny

“Vibrant sonority and strong feeling by the Alcan Quartet… the Adagio (Mendelssohn Op. 87) is gripping. This Chicoutimi-based ensemble has found its voice.” — The Gazette (Québec), February 2007 on Requiem für Fanny

“The Quatuor Alcan paints a convincing picture of a by-gone age in this welcome addition to the string quartet discography.” — The WholeNote (Canada), March 2006 on Les Vendredis

“… the Chicoutimi based Alcan Quartet is sounding better than ever with newcomer Laura Andriani in the first violin chair. Add rich balanced sound and you have a disc that is totally worth owning.” — The Gazette (Québec), January 2006 on Les Vendredis

“The Alcan Quartet has a full rich sound combined with an excellent blend which is well suited to the sophisticated harmonies of Prévost’s music. … a significant achievement, should be included in any serious collection of contemporary music.” — Circuit #11:2 (Québec), June 2000 on String Quartets Nos 2-4

“… the Alcan Quartet’s new Schubert CD offers an extraordinarily dramatic reading, animated by a rare unity of respiration between the four young partners.” — La Presse (Québec), November 1998 on String quartet No 8, Op. 168 in B major; String quartet no 14 in D minor

“This is a fresh, delightful disc. The Alcan Quartet is perfect for this music.” — American Record Guide (USA), July 1997 on “Haydn” String Quartets

“… an attention to detail combined with a superb technical control… the Alcan Quartet is totally convincing.” — Diapason (France), April 1997 on Late string quartets: in G major, Op.77 No 1, in F major Op.77 No 2 & Unfinished Quartet Op.103

“A superb sonority from each member of the quartet… combined with an exceptional sense of ensemble. The ‘Serenade Italian’ of Wolf sparkles with a marvelous freshness and a very seductive elegance” — Diapason (France), April 1997 on String Quartets

“The members of the Alcan Quartet amply demonstrate with this recording that they possess all the essential qualities of any string quartet worthy of its name, coordination, homogenous sound, naturel feeling, interaction between the four instruments and a continuity of interpretation” — Le Soleil (Québec), February 1996 on Late string quartets: in G major, Op.77 No 1, in F major Op.77 No 2 & Unfinished Quartet Op.103

“A very agreeable moment spent in excellent company. The performers play the seducers, and the role fits them marvelously” — Le Devoir (Québec), January 1996 on Waltzes (transcriptions: Berg, Webern & Schönberg) & Bagatelles

“4/5” — Diapason (France) on Late string quartets: in G major, Op.77 No 1, in F major Op.77 No 2 & Unfinished Quartet Op.103

“4/5” — Diapason (France) on String Quartets

“An elegant and eloquent use of their bows in Debussy, an irresistible romantic flavor in the Borodin, humor and freshness in the Wolf” — La Presse (Québec) on String Quartets