Quartet Choreography

£6.99£18.00

Catalogue No: MSVDX 99101/MSV 92105
EAN/UPC: 809730010194
Artists:
Composers: , , ,
Release Date: January 2012
Genres:
Periods:
Discs: 1

One of the foremost British ensembles, the Kreutzer Quartet specialises in new music and has already made many recordings for Metier and other labels. This superb film is not only the record of brilliant performances of major modern quartets and fine entertainment, it is also a valuable and rewarding tool for observing how the layers of an ensemble communicate and interact, especially in works like that of Lutoslawski which allow performers a degree of choice. Above all it is a demonstration that music very often should be seen as well as heard.

This disc is universal-play (Region 0) and doublesided PAL/NTSC so will play in any country. After the 2012 release of the DVD, the CD-version is now available!

The Kreutzer Quartet is one of the premier quartets in Europe and every year gaining more of a reputation for the championing of contemporary composers while not ignoring the classical and Romantic repertoire.

Performers on the CD are: Peter Sheppard Skærved (violin); Mihailo Trandafilovski (violin); Morgan Goff (viola); Neil Heyde (cello);

Track Listing

    Igor Stravinsky:
  1. Three Pieces for String Quartet - I. Crotchet-126 (0:52)
  2. Three Pieces for String Quartet - II.Crotchet=76 (2:07)
  3. Three Pieces for String Quartet - III. Minim=40 (3:32)
  4. Witold Lutosławski:
  5. String Quartet - I. Introductory Movement (9:48)
  6. String Quartet - II. Main Movement (16:43)
  7. Gyorgy Ligeti:
  8. String Quartet No. 2 - I. Allegro Nervoso (4:39)
  9. String Quartet No. 2 - II. Sostnuto, molto calmo (4:10)
  10. String Quartet No. 2 - III. Come un meccanismo di precision (4:01)
  11. String Quartet No. 2 - IV. Presto furioso (2:03)
  12. String Quartet No. 2 - V. Allegro con delicatezza (5:24)
  13. Michael Finnissy:
  14. Second String Quartet (19:17)

Reviews

MusicWeb International

The performances by the Kreutzer quartet are assured… they are very good. Moreover, the Finnissy was written for them: they are great champions of his music. The recordings are clean and clear and the sleeve-notes, by the cellist of the quartet, are helpful.

” —Stephen Barber
American Record Guide

A fine perform¬ance of four 20th Century and contemporary quartets—some better known than others. Finnissy’s exceptional second quartet…I find fascinating and believe it repays repeated hearings.

” —Rob Haskins
The Chronicle

By definition, the pieces are quirky… rather angular pieces, sometimes harsh though sometimes playful. It’s all very modern. if you like modern music and want to be challenged give it a go

” —Jeremy Condliffe
Musical Pointers

This is an important Kreutzer Quartet production. The performances of all this music are riveting and have captivated listeners who would normally find engagements with some of this music far from easy. Recommended for essential purchase.

” —Peter Grahame Woolf
Gramophone

Any release spunky enough to embrace Ligeti’s and Finnissy’s Second Quartets..is OK by me. These films are edited to mirror something of the composer’s approach to structure but, more significantly, to allow viewers to see the physical interaction between player and instrument. Stravinsky was right: we hear these moves, see the sounds differently.

” —Philip Clark
Music & Vision

An apt verdict on the Kreutzer readings is that of veteran music commentator Peter Graham Woolf, He said of Metier’s DVD: ‘The performances of all this music are riveting and have captivated listeners who would normally find engagements with some of this music far from easy. Recommended for essential purchase.’ Regarding the entire DVD we are informed [by Metier] that it is: ‘a valuable and rewarding tool for observing how the players of an ensemble communicate and interact, especially in works like that of Lutoslawski which allow performers a degree of choice.’ Statements in the sales pitch are self-evident.

” —Howard Smith
The Strad

[The Kreutzers’] playing is vivid, technically assured and strongly characterful throughout, and there’s a real sincerity to the performances with no sense of acting up for the camera. There are times where watching the performer really adds to the musical experience.

” —David Kettle