Juilliard String Quartet

When one considers the string quartet, one tends to think of the great Germanic composers of this genre, with French counterparts often being forgotten. This collection, however, brings together a series of French string quartets which are extraordinary in their own right. Debussy’s String Quartet in G minor Op.10 of 1893 is demonstrative of the composer’s exposure to Javanese music at the Exposition Universelle of three years earlier, and also shows the Russian influence of Borodin, which can be heard in the slow movement. When Ravel composed his own String Quartet in 1902–3, which he dedicated to Gabriel Fauré, similarities were found between this and Debussy’s: these include the four-movement structure of both and the second movement Scherzos’ definite hints of exoticism. However, thanks to his beautiful melodies for both the cello and the violin, Ravel managed to create a turning point in his career with this innovative composition.

Dutilleux’s quartet is written in an entirely different style, based neither on harmony nor counterpoint, as with Debussy and Ravel respectively, but through the notion of a pivot note, with each movement built up around a single tone. Ainsi la nuit offers a certain eclecticism, with the composer contrasting the influences of Gregorian chant, the night sky and the sounds of nature to create a visionary piece.

The critically acclaimed Juillard Quartet, established in 1946 by founders Robert Mann and William Schuman, is one of the most recorded string quartets of all time. The ensemble has led an active life of international tours and has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls.

New booklet note by French music expert Robert Orledge.

The Canadian musician Glenn Gould was undoubtedly one of the greatest pianists of all time. To mark the 75th anniversary of his birth, and the 25th anniversary of his death, Sony BMG Masterworks presents this seminal artist’s vinyl recordings as re-mastered CDs, designed to replicate the exact artwork of the original gramophone records in miniaturised form. Already issued as part of an 80-CD box set (88697130942), these albums are now being made available individually.

Brahms’ standing among the world’s greatest classical composers is confirmed by his inclusion, together with Bach and Beethoven, in the ‘Three Bs’ triumvirate. A leading figure of the Romantic period who excelled in almost every form, he was particularly renowned for his contributions to chamber music; this release details four such examples, all expertly performed by the Juilliard Quartet.

As with the symphony, Brahms was very conscious of the tradition that lay behind the genre of the string quartet, and it is said that he spent the better part of a decade working on Op.51. While No.1 is known for its gritty intensity – brilliantly captured in this recording – No.2, which looks back to Beethoven’s Op.18 through its first movement’s impeccable sonata-allegro form, was written along altogether more lyrical lines. The work presents an engaging follow-up to the experimental Third Quartet in Bb major and is wonderfully complemented by the ensuing Clarinet Quintet Op.115. Here a spirit of mellow reflection comes to the fore, providing a perfect ending to a delightful collection.

The Juilliard String Quartet is one of the longest establishd chamber ensembles, renowned for the interpretative clarity of a range of repertoire from Beethoven to Elliott Carter, and their account of these works – some of Brahms’ most famous – has been described as ‘the stuff of charismatic greatness’. Featuring exemplary playing from clarinettist Neidich, this compilation brims with colour and expression.

Recorded in the 1990s.

Last year the Juilliard Quartet received a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Recorded in 1945 &1950

In celebration of Elliott Carter's 101st birthday, Bridge Records is pleased to release The Music of Elliott Carter, Vol. 8 (16 Compositions, 2002-2009), a two disc set focusing on Carter's most recent work.

The sixteen works to be released include solo, chamber, vocal and orchestral music, and are première recordings. Bridge's Elliott Carter Edition is the largest ongoing recording project devoted to the music of Elliott Carter.

Richard Wernick’s infrequently recorded music is heard here in the premiere recordings of three major chamber compositions and two short works for solo guitar.

The most recent piece is Wernick's Horn Quintet, a virtuosic score recorded by the work's dedicatees- William Purvis and the Juilliard String Quartet. Wernick's String Quartet No. 6 is in one dramatic movement, performed eloquently by the Colorado Quartet. The Name of the Game is a concerto for guitar and chamber ensemble with the thematic material based on the name of guitarist, David Starobin. Starobin plays this work accompanied by the International Contemporary Ensemble, and also performs two short solo pieces that Wernick composed for him in preparation for his concerto.

The Canadian musician Glenn Gould was undoubtedly one of the greatest pianists of all time. To mark the 75th anniversary of his birth, and the 25th anniversary of his death, Sony BMG Masterworks presents this seminal artist’s vinyl recordings as re-mastered CDs, designed to replicate the exact artwork of the original gramophone records in miniaturised form. Already issued as part of an 80-CD box set (88697130942), these albums are now being made available individually.