String quartets are the aristocrat of classical music. This is the genre in which composers often do their best work. Oddly, Dvorák seldom gets his due as a quartet composer. Other than his oft-performed “American” Quartet, his other quartets tend to go unheard. This is a shame, as Dvorák was an excellent craftsman, and his gift for melody runs throughout his quartets.Since one might balk at paying a lot for a complete set of Dvorák’s quartets, an excellent budget set is a good way to start. This set by the Stamitz Quartet fills the bill. The playing is warm and affectionate, and the sound is fine. The program notes are a bit quaint, obviously written by someone not a native English speaker. An example: “Since then the Stamitz Quartet has been one of the most sought after and internationally successful quartets, which also deserved well of the Czech music and is predestinated for an integral recording of this literature.” But don’t let this put you off. The playing is what counts, and here the Stamitz Quartet shines.