Composer: Béla Bartók
Performer: Ragazze Quartet
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Channel
Catalogue: CCS41419
Release: 2019
Size: 2.53 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
String Quartet No. 1, Sz 40 (Op. 7)
01. I. Lento
02. II. Allegretto
03. III. Introduzione – Allegro vivace
String Quartet No. 2, Sz 67 (Op. 17)
04. I. Moderato
05. II. Allegro molto capriccioso
06. III. Lento
String Quartet No. 4, Sz 91
07. I. Allegro
08. II. Prestissimo, con sordino
09. III. Non troppo lento
10. IV. Allegretto pizzicato
11. V. Allegro molto
It’s always a wonderful and thrilling experience to play Béla Bartók. It’s got everything: the mysterious tension of a thriller, loving lyricism, warm string sounds, almost impossible techniques challenging any string player to rediscover his instrument, and exhilarating rhythms which could well be rooted in folk dance. His music has fascinated us for years, so now we’ve decided to record all six string quartets.
For the coming years we’ve declared ourselves Bartók Bound. We delve deep into his music and present his quartets in all sorts of ways and all kinds of programmes. For young and old, in pubs or on the screen, and in concert halls of course. This CD forms the first testimony. We wish to break a lance for Béla Bartók: as far as we’re concerned his sound can’t be heard often enough! – Ragazze Quartet
The Ragazze Quartet plays both classical and modern string quartet repertoire: inspired and on the highest level. With attractive but unconventional programmes the quartet has come to be one of the most fresh and leading voices in the world of classical music. In innovative programmes it embarks on collaborations with the most original voices in theatre, dance and literature.
With performances that speak to all senses they succeed in securing an audience for the rich classical music tradition. In this way they warm the hearts of both the die hard listener and the novice for the string quartet repertoire of the past and of our present day.