BARTOK

String Quartet No 5 (1934)

(1)        Allegro   

(2)        Adagio molto *

(3)        Scherzo. All bulgarese 

(4)        Andante 

(5)        Finale. Allegro vivace *

 

HINDEMITH

String Quartet No 4 (1922)

(6)        I Fugto, Sehr langsame Viertei 

(7)        II Schnelle Achtel. Sehr energisch,

            Presto              

(8)        III Ruhige Viertel. Stets fließend 

(9)        IV  Mäßig schnelle Viertel  

(10)      V Rondo. Gemächlich und mit Grazie *

 

Zehetmair Quartet

Thomas Zehetmair: violin

Kuba Jakowicz: violin

Ruth Killius: viola

Ursula Smith: cello

 

 

Recommended listening * 

 

Music / Artist background:

Five years after their acclaimed recording of Bartók’s Quartet No 4, the Zehetmair Quartet (in a new line-up) play the Hungarian‘s masterly fifth quartet (in which he moves back to a more or less consistent tonality), coupled with Paul Hindemith‘s Fourth (which is marked by a neo-classicist return to elaborate polyphony and baroque forms, including some dazzling contrapuntal writing). These are land-marks of 20th century chamber music in interpretations of analytical clarity, emotional intensity and flair.

Formed in 1994 by charismatic Austrian virtuoso Thomas Zehetmair, the quartet maintain freshness and a sense of real spontaneity by committing the music to heart, and playing from memory.  Uniquely, this has been quartet policy throughout all their concerts and recordings. And it certainly contributed to the stunning quality of their Schumann album (ECM4721692), winner of some 12 international awards in addition to the Gramophone Record of the Year 2003: “It has an immediacy, passion and excitement that really sets it apart. It is impossible to be unmoved by it” - James Jolly at the Gramophone Awards.

 

“The vividness of the music owes much to these electrifying performances. Amazingly impressive” - Times “The Zehetmairs play with inspirational flexibility and bracing inventiveness” - Classic FM Magazine

 

The quartet’s ECM debut of Bartók and Hartmann (ECM4657762) also netted rave reviews and accolades including the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik and a BBC Music Magazine Editor’s Choice. Now a British resident, Zehetmair has made many recordings of major violin works, including a remarkable ECM album of Ysaÿe sonatas (ECM4726872). Music Director of the Northern Sinfonia since 2002, his CD debut with them (Brahms’ VioIin Concerto/Schumann’s Symphony No 4) is soon to be released on Avie.

 

ECM4765779