I'm listening to a set of six string quartets written by the teacher
of Puccini and Mascagni.  They are very tuneful and rhythmically very
interesting.  There is gentle humor and the individual parts are rich,
too.  No second violinist or violist will fall asleep.  They sometimes
nod in Beethoven and Mendelssohn's direction, and they all are absolutely
lovely.

Antonio Bazzini ...  as far as I know this set of three cds on Dynamic
is the only performance of these gems.  They are performed lovingly by
the Quartetto d'Archi di Venezia, the same group that has also recorded
the Saint-Saens and Respighi string quartets, also worth adding to your
chambermusic collection.

Bazzini was born in 1818 and died in 1897 ...  (My favorite years for
composers!) He is mostly known for a few virtuosos pieces.  These quartets,
however, could be played successfully by amateurs!  Musicians who can
handle Beethoven op.  18 #1 could play these quartets.

Mimi Ezust