Kronos Quartet playing Henryk Górecki 'Already It Is Dusk' (1988) & 'Quasi una Fantasia' (1990/91)
Kronos Quartet (muscians) Henryk Górecki (composer)
Already It Is Dusk (String Quartet No. 1, Op. 62) (1988) / Quasi una Fantasia (String Quartet No. 2, Op. 64) (1990-91)
This is going to take me some time to think about this one; unfortunately I do not have the space to review this tonight. Suffice to say I do like it. BTW, yep it's classical.
"Gorecki's String Quartet No. 2, Op. 64 - Quasi una Fantasia - is an intense and heart stirring composition I have no doubt about rating five stars.
There is, however, a preliminary consideration to be made: this piece of music, more than others, asks for cooperation, lots of it, and it will not satisfy listeners who are unwilling to award it with such cooperation. The reason for this, paradoxically, rests in the quartet's overtly simple and stubbornly repetitive inner structure, which is very likely to annoy listeners who either are untrained to minimalist music, or (even more so, perhaps, in this case) believe that simplicity of form essentially entails a lack of ideas. In other words, in order for those approaching Gorecki's Quasi una Fantasia to thoroughly enjoy it (and comprehend it), they must cooperate - that is, suspend skepticism and let the music exercise its hypnotic suggestion on them. If they do not, they'll inevitably miss its point and therefore find it exceedingly simple and consequently discharge it." (Vargiu Riccardo James - Italy)
Ok this maybe not what those who've heard Górecki's symphonic work would be expecting, but I do find this rather interesting & definitely rewarding.
***Note: Chardman has thoughtfully posted Symphony No. 3 over at his place. You can find it here. Thank you once again Chardman.
posted by MoogPower @ Thursday, July 20, 2006
27 comments
27 Comments:
Track List:
1. String Quartet No. 1, Op. 62: Already It Is Dusk
2. Quasi Una Fantasia String Quartet No. 2, Op. 64: Largo Sostenuto - Mesto
3. Quasi Una Fantasia String Quartet No. 2, Op. 64: Deciso - Energico; Furioso, Tranquillo - Mesto
4. Quasi Una Fantasia String Quartet No. 2, Op. 64: Arioso: Adagio Catabile
5. Quasi Una Fantasia String Quartet No. 2, Op. 64: Allegro - Sempre Con Grande Passion E Molto Marcato;
Lento - Tranquillissimo
Kronos Quartet:
David Harrington (violin)
John Sherba (violin)
Hank Dutt (viola)
Joan Jeanrenaud (cello)
when someones want it, i could give "Forbidden Fruit". It's a track of Kronos Quartet on the first version of "Spillane" by John Zorn. Then "Spillane" will be new released with a new part "Spillane/Godard" and the Kronos Quartet tracks will be skiped.
Polish composers rule!
I really love Górecki's Symphony No. 3 (AKA Sorrowful). Seems like others like Komeda and Lygeti are getting their due lately.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing this!
I like your blogs, I will add your link you to my blog.
This is a resource you can visit :
Google Music Links
And Listen to musics
MoPo back for more...kronos is a mainstay on my machine as is alan morse davies and clogs i list them as "metalstrings" neo-classical fusion anyway just wanted to thank you for your efforts i've been here often i thought i had commented before this[old age is a bitch]on your good taste if not i apologize.
Indeed, Górecki is great, as is Komeda, and another Pole, Witold Lutosławski. But György Ligeti (RIP) was Hugarian. His String Quartets, as played by the Arditti 4 are incredible.
While we're talking contemporary chamber music, I encourage you to track down the Kronos recording of Pēteris Vasks 4th Quartet.
My bad.
I assumed he was Polish.
Hey guys...thanks for your comments. Great to see Górecki getting this much interest here - appreciated.
I also have works by Ligeti & that jazz master Komeda. Funny I was tossing up whether to post this album or something by Komeda. Maybe will post some Komeda soon & Ligeti later 'cause classical's got a fair run lately!
Thanx jonh neo sounds cool.
Jwillaum you commented the other day on Mark Eitzel (I think), but never made mention of 'good taste' - very kind. :)
Anon...Thank you for the Pēteris Vasks recommendation, I don't know it & will look out for it.
Chardman...nice to see you again, your comments are always welcome!
is there a password that i am missing? thanks for the post.
okay, i found it. sorry. it's late. i'm slow. thanks
I enjoyed the pelican post, great stuff indeed.
I did know the kronos quartet, they played music by Thelonious Monk, great stuff, I'm looking forward to hear this one out.
As always, great musical choices you make!
Cheers
I just posted a cd by an Australian band Clann Zu, fantastic stuff, you might like it.
Cool 'anon' glad to know you found it.
Thanx!
G'day detectie, Ya I know Clann Zu - they are originally from Melbourne!
I hear they've been doing pretty well o/s relatively recently.
I don't have any of their albums, but was looking at one of them just today, but already with 5 others in hand I thought they would have to wait for another time.
Looking forward to having a listen...thanx for the heads-up mate; appreciated!!!
Pleased to know you dig the Pelican release too, feedback is soooo important. :)
Arvo Part would be cool.. I'll see if I can sort some out.
G'day Capt...I have 2 Arvo cd's, he was another option here, but this cd got selected first. Who knows why - maybe it's just some unfathomable rhythm that I sense?
Hope ya dig this one mate...
Cheers!
Moog i turn my head one day and you ost already something beautifull.
kronos fresh young at spirit with almost all their works from Hendrix to si si si Gorecki.
and offcourse you will not look strange when i say i saw them p`laying in Dutchieland.
but i like you give a glimpse in the future with the Arvo Part cds
what can i say
Good good BOy Moog!!
I might put Gorecki's Symphony No. 3 up, but have a few in the tubes that are next in line. I'll let you know when or if (perhaps you've already got it).
Tubes cleared.
It's up here.
Aaaah Korpus Duthcielan is in your part of the wolrd? I had first thought when reading this name you meant in Holland? Now I see...Seems like some very interesting bands & musicians visit your shores. Lucky for you; I've never seen Kronos Quartet.
As always thanx for your comments!!!
G'day Chardman thank you for this - will stop by yours to have a listen to this.
I assume this is the 'Symphony of Sorrowful...' I didn't know it at all until relatively recently when Timsum shared this here.
I do not believe it's the full release so am keen to hear it all. It's one I'd like to buy in fact, but last few times in a cd store it wasn't there. Think I'll need to go to a 'dedicated' classical shop.
Cheers!
hi
that's great - thks
i have "Night Prayers" (Kronos Quartet - 94) - Gorecki's "Miserere" and a lot of Philip Glass records
i can share them if you like .
cheers
j
Hey Julien I too have Miserere, but am missing some (a fair few) Philip Glass.
I do like him alot, but neglected to buy them when I was younger & some of them were first released. I'm left trying to catch up. :)
What can you suggest, bearing in mind I already have about 4/5 of his albums?
Cheers!
Hello, it's Alan Morse Davies. I did a google on my own name and found this blog... "metalstrings" eh, jwillaum? Are you defining a genre? Only joking. After writing the music for the 175th anniversary of Belgian independence I fell into a black hole of cocaine and alcahol, and a very nice hole it was. It's an expensive habit without working, and life is too short to have your brain rewired, so it's now O.V.A.H. over. Not very relevant am I?
BTW, it was about the evils of the diamond trade in India. I think it went over the heads of the princess and the PM, but it was definitely not what they were expecting.
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