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Atma Classique5
Philip Glass: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 2
Quatuor Molinari: Olga Ranzenhofer and Antoine Bareil, violins; Frédéric Lambert, viola; Pierre-Alain Bouvrette, cello
Atma Classique, November 2023
The first notes of Quartet No. 5, composed in 1991, immediately demonstrate Molinari’s ability to give texture to the music. The nuances achieved by the musicians are well-represented by the excellent quality of the recording, which possesses a beautiful depth, particularly evident in the second movement. Motivic repetition, characteristic of the minimalist style, comes to the fore in the third and fourth movements, the most striking of the five. The precise, articulated arpeggios played by the violins and viola are juxtaposed against the lyricism of a slow theme, intoned by the cello.
Written in 2013, Quartet No. 6 uses rhythmic acceleration, often moving from single to double or from binary to ternary meters. The same is true of the first and third movements, with their ample, generous harmonies. Here, too, Olga Ranzenhofer and her colleagues demonstrate remarkable precision. The central movement is more introspective, but takes a dramatic turn in the second half, with pizzicati cellos and minor chords.
Philip Glass’s Quartet No. 7 premièred the following year, in 2014. It’s peculiar in that it is contained in a single movement, which lasts almost 18 minutes. Compared to the two previous works, though, it seems less innovative. Overall, it was more reminiscent of cinematic music than concert music—which has its merits! Looking forward to the rest of the complete works later in 2024.
Playlist
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