Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Rozsa String Quartets / Trio - Tippett Quartet (2013)

Miklós Rózsa (1907–1995)
Performer: Tippett Quartet, UK - Website
Label: Naxos
Released: September 2013

Although being giant in movie score compositions, little is known that Hungarian Miklos Rozsa also wrote chamber works. His two string quartets are highly appreciated by critics. Just like other movie specialist composers Korngold and Walton, Rozsa string quartets were in the late of Romanticism. Highly dramatics also already went into recordings. There were already two versions known on these two string quartets, by Pro Arte and by Flesch String Quartet. But today, young UK based quartet is given new perspectives to the works. Tippett Quartet also added the String Trio to the recording.

The official released notes:
Though Miklós Rózsa became one of the most admired of film composers, he had always written music in other forms and his two published string quartets reveal important facets of his musical background. String Quartet No 1 was written in 1950 when he was under contract with M-G-M and, with its nocturnal and folk-dance imagery, is redolent of his Hungarian youth. String Quartet No 2 is prophetic of his later sparer style, though it too is infused with great energy and high drama. The String Trio, Op 1, recorded for the first time in its original 1929 published version, abounds with youthful vitality.

From Naxos site - About this recording

8.572903 - ROZSA, M.: String Quartets Nos. 1 and 2 / String Trio, Op. 1 
BUY IT HERE - AMAZON

String Quartet No. 2, Op. 38
1. I. Allegro con brio 00:05:27
2. II. Andante 00:06:16
3. III. Allegro scherzando 00:03:04
4. IV. Allegro risoluto 00:05:49

String Trio, Op. 1 (original published version)
5. I. Largo - Allegro molto energico 00:10:51
6. II. Gioioso 00:05:20
7. III. Largo con dolore 00:05:42
8. IV. Allegretto vivo 00:08:05

String Quartet No. 1, Op. 22
9. I. Andante con moto 00:07:35
10. II. Scherzo in modo ongarese 00:04:18
11. III. Lento 00:07:01
12. IV. Allegro feroce 00:05:21

Total Playing Time: 01:14:49

From left to right: John Mills, violin • Julia O’Riordan, viola
Jeremy Isaac, violin • Bozidar Vukotic, cello

Photo: Benjamin Ealovega


Fesca Complete String Quartet Vol 1 - Diogenes Quartett (2013)

Friedrich Ernst Fesca (1789-1826)
Performer: Diogenes Quartett - Website
Label: CPO
Release: September 2013

Classical composer Friedrich Ernst Fesca was from Germany, born in Magdeburg. He becomes the violinist of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and got full education right from an early age. He was performed a public concert of violin at the age of 15. The report told that Fesca wrote at least sixteen string quartets, four string quintets and four flute quartets. Fesca's chamber works also reported a popular repertoire in his time, being printed as early as mid-1810s to his death.

The first opus.1 containing three string quartet had been widely enjoy, as they recorded earlier by Authentic String Quartet in Hungaraton label. The Authentic Quartet done it in period instrument, then compared to Diogenes, their tuning is already different. Now, Diogenes Quartett from Germany done a survey to Fesca and enthusiastically called the project "Fesca Complete String Quartet". The first released, is package as Volume 1 but with three CDs, a massive collection of these Classical Era String Quartets.

UPDATED: A short review for Volume 1.

Both Quartet no.1 and no.2 are a familiar late Classical pieces, the first one should be a modest introduction to Fesca's endeavor in this medium, close to Haydn's. String Quartet No.3 in B flat Major (op.1/3) is my favorite quartet with the last movement is the best climax, it has beautiful main theme and the improvisation through its seven minutes length is easily passed.

The first movement in the quartet no.7 in A minor (Op.3/1) is also my favorite, it has memorable main theme.

Quartet no.8 in D major (Op.3/2) is pretty standard early Beethov-ian. The second movement of Scherzo is intrique and stormy. The last movement in Presto tempo is very familiar, even goes to have some of Haydn musical jokes we used to listen.

Quartet no.13 in D minor is already close to Romantic style. The whole quartet set in sad mood, very lyrical. Only in the last finale movement that Fesca gives a brighter notes for the listener. Quartet No. 15 in D major but opus numbering only in 3 no.4. This is rather short piece, second movement in Andantino is a happy triumphant in mood. The last quartet in this volume is no.9 in E flat major Opus 3 no.3. Again the introductory theme is happened in slow pace. Second movement is marked in Adagio but it quite fast! And the last movement is a canon withing all four voices racing each other.

FESCA Complete String Quartet Collection Volume 1 - Buy It HERE at Amazon

Disc1
-String Quartet No. 1 Op.1-1 in Eb Major
I Allegro
II Adagio
III Menuetoo
IV Rondo

-String Quartet No. 2 Op.1-2 in F sharp minor
I Allegro
II Andante con moto
III Schezando
IV Allegro non troppo

-Potpourri Op.11 No. 2 for String Quartet

Disc2
-String Quartet No. 3 Op.1-3 in B flat Major
I Allegro
II Andantino
III Poco presto
IV Rondo

String Quartet No. 7 Op.3-1 in A minor
I. Allegro

II. Andante con moto
III. Menuetto Allegro
IV. Finale Allegro molto

String Quartet No. 8 Op.3-2 in D major
I. Allegro moderato
II. Scherzo Presto
III. Andante con moto
IV. Finale. Presto

Disc3
String Quartet No. 13 Op.12 String Quartet in D minor
I. Allegro moderato
II. Larghetto
III. Menuetto - Trio
IV. Finale. Allegretto
Published in 1818, when Fesca was around 29

String Quartet No. 15 Op.3-4 in D Major
I. Allegro [0:06:33.46]
II. Andantino [0:04:59.35]
III. Scherzo. Vivace [0:03:59.16]
IV. Finale. Allegro [0:05:32.53]

String Quartet No. 9, Op.3-3 in E Flat Major
I. Allegro [0:06:57.38]
II. Adagio [0:04:58.21]
III. Scherzo. Presto [0:04:50.46]
IV. Finale. Allegro molto [0:05:31.35]


Diogenes Quartet
Recording time: 2007


Diogenes Quartett - Stefan Kirpal, Gundula Kirpal, Lydia Bach and Stephen Ristau












Known Fesca Chamber Works: (from Earsense)
1. String Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 1, No. 1 (1815 age 26)
2. String Quartet in f-sharp minor, Op. 1, No.2
3. String Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 1, No. 3
4. String Quartet in b minor, Op. 2, No. 1 (1815)
5. String Quartet in g minor, Op. 2, No. 2
6. String Quartet in E major, Op. 2, No. 3
7. String Quartet in a minor, Op. 3, No. 1 (1816)
8. String Quartet in d minor, Op. 3, No. 2
9. String Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 3, No. 3
10. String Quartet in c minor, Op. 4 (1816)
11. String Quartet in f minor, Op. 7, No. 1 (1817)
12. String Quartet in e minor, Op. 7, No. 2
13. String Quartet in d minor, Op. 12 (1818)
14. String Quartet in D major, Op. 34 (1814)
15. String Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 14 (1819)
16. String Quartet in C major, Op. 36 (1825)

String Quintet (viola) No. 1 in D major, Op. 8 (1817)
String Quintet (viola) No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 9 (1817)
String Quintet (viola) No. 3 in E major, Op. 15 (1820)
String Quintet (viola) No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 20 (1821)

Flute Quintet in C major, Op. 22 (for flute, 2 violins, viola and cello) (1820-1821)

Quatour Brilliant (Flute Quartet) No. 1 in D major, Op. 37  (1825-26)
Quatour Brilliant (Flute Quartet) No. 2 in G major, Op. 38
Quatour Brilliant (Flute Quartet) No. 3 in F major, Op. 40
Quatour Brilliant (Flute Quartet) No. 4 in D major, Op. 42

Stenhammar String Quartet Vol 2 - Stenhammar Quartet (2013)

Wilhelm Stenhammar (February 7, 1871 – November 20, 1927)
Performer : The Stenhammar Quartet, Sweden
Label: BIS
Release: October 2013

As I posted few weeks ago about new Stenhammar String Quartet cycle HERE, I just saw the upcoming volume 2 on this series. Volume 2 will continued the conversation with Sweden master Wilhelm Stenhammar to String Quartet No.5 in C Major and no.6 in D minor. And for most exciting parts, this volume will also premiered a String Quartet in F minor dated 1897. This string quartet will consisted of four movements.

We looking forward for this release and hat off for new bloods of Sweden who done this cycle, Stenhammar Quartet.

Professional review:
After the harmonic and technical audacities of his Fourth String Quartet, Wilhelm Stenhammar evidently felt the need to explore other paths. Thus, in the Fifth Quartet, he makes a new beginning, as indicated by the title 'Serenade' that he uses in the autograph score, placing the work in a world of apparent lightheartedness, and even ironic detachment. Unusually for the composer, the primary focus of the work is on the slow second movement, the Ballata. This is based on a song that Stenhammar had learned as a child: the tragicomical ballad of the knight Finn Komfusenfej, whose wooing of a noble maiden proves highly complicated - and in the end fatal. Wide-ranging both in substance and in musical character, the Ballata is framed by three briefer movements which all in different ways play with elements of the quartets of Viennese Classicism, by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Stenhammar thus distances himself from late-Romantic conventions - a development which is carried even further in his sixth and final work in the genre. Here 'Romantic' melodies and hovering Impressionist sonorities confront each other and are ultimately synthesized to form a single sound world, while Stenhammar's extensive studies of counterpoint enable him to achieve a truly democratic four-part texture. On this second disc of the Stenhammar Quartet's survey, these two late works frame a world premiere recording, namely that of the Quartet in F minor which Stenhammar completed in 1897, but withdrew after a successful first performance in 1898. While describing the quartet's middle movements as 'fresh and joyful', Stenhammar expressed severe doubts regarding the final movement and for a long time harboured the idea of replacing it, before finally giving up on the work. The first modern performance of the quartet took place in 2001, and now the Stenhammar Quartet is offering a wider audience the opportunity to judge for itself.

Stenhammar String Quartet No 5 in C major Op 29 'Serenade', String Quartet No 6 in D minor Op 35 (world premiere recording), String Quartet in F minor

and from BIS website:
After the harmonic and technical audacities of his Fourth String Quartet, Wilhelm Stenhammar evidently felt the need to explore other paths. Thus, in the Fifth Quartet, he makes a new beginning, as indicated by the title ‘Serenade’ that he uses in the autograph score, placing the work in a world of apparent lightheartedness, and even ironic detachment. Unusually for the composer, the primary focus of the work is on the slow second movement, the Ballata. This is based on a song that Stenhammar had learned as a child: the tragicomical ballad of the knight Finn Komfusenfej, whose wooing of a noble maiden proves highly complicated – and in the end fatal. Wide-ranging both in substance and in musical character, the Ballata is framed by three briefer movements which all in different ways play with elements of the quartets of Viennese Classicism, by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Stenhammar thus distances himself from late-Romantic conventions – a development which is carried even further in his sixth and final work in the genre. Here ‘Romantic’ melodies and hovering Impressionist sonorities confront each other and are ultimately synthesized to form a single sound world, while Stenhammar’s extensive studies of counterpoint enable him to achieve a truly democratic four-part texture. On this second disc of the Stenhammar Quartet’s survey, these two late works frame a world première recording, namely that of the Quartet in F minor which Stenhammar completed in 1897, but withdrew after a successful first performance in 1898. While describing the quartet’s middle movements as ‘fresh and joyful’, Stenhammar expressed severe doubts regarding the final movement and for a long time harboured the idea of replacing it, before finally giving up on the work. The first modern performance of the quartet took place in 2001, and now the Stenhammar Quartet is offering a wider audience the opportunity to judge for itself.

Stenhammar – String Quartets, Volume 2 - Buy It HERE at Amazon

String Quartet No.5 in C major, Op.29 (‘Serenade’) (c.1910)
1. I. Allegro molto con spirito 5'13
2. II. Ballata. Allegretto scherzando (paraphrase on ‘Finn Komfusenfej’) 7'29
3. III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace 1'58
4. IV. Finale. Allegro molto 4'15

String Quartet in F minor (1897) - world première recording
5. I. Allegro 6'14
6. II. Adagio. Con intimissimo sentimento, poco scherzando 6'29
7. III. Allegro giocoso 3'52
8. IV. Allegretto 4'04

String Quartet No.6 in D minor, Op.35 (1916)
9. I. Tempo moderato, sempre un poco rubato 7'12
10. II. Allegro vivace 2'44
11. III. Poco adagio 8'08
12. IV. Presto 6'00



Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Dover String Quartet Wins Banff International String Quartet First Prize

As reported on their official website, Houston based Dover String Quartet won the 2013 Banff International String Quartet Competition. Dover String Quartet as described on their official media:

The Dover Quartet
Joel Link, violin
Bryan Lee, violin
Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola
Camden Shaw, cello

Considered one of the most remarkably talented young string quartets ever to emerge at such a young age, the Dover Quartet (formerly known as the Old City String Quartet) was the grand prize-winner of the 2010 Fischoff Competition. Formed at the Curtis Institute of Music in 2008, when its members were just 19 years old, the quartet draws from the musical lineage of both the Vermeer and Guarneri quartets, but brings a youthful enthusiasm and musical conviction to the repertoire that is truly its own. The Strad recently raved that the Dover Quartet is "already pulling away from their peers with their exceptional interpretative maturity, tonal refinement and taut ensemble."

Banff International held on August 26 - September 1, 2013 in Alberta, Canada. The finalist of their 2013 edition is:
  1. The Dover Quartet (USA)
  2. Quatuor Cavatine (France)
  3. Navarra Quartet (UK/Ireland/Netherlands)

Dover String Quartet plays Beethoven String Quartet No.8 streaming here:

Dover Quartet: Beethoven No. 8 on medici.tv.


see official website HERE