Górecki: The 3 String Quartets

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The quartets were commissioned by Kronos...but the Royal's performances rival them with playing that is passionate and sharp-edged, capturing the emotional depth and intensity of the music equally... — BBC Music Magazine, May 2011, 5 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 28th Mar 2011
Catalogue No: CDA67812
Label: Hyperion
Length: 1 hour 44 minutes

Gramophone Magazine

June 2011

Editor's Choice

Gorecki: String Quartet No. 1, Op. 62 'Already it is dusk'

Work length15:43

Album only

Royal String Quartet

Gorecki: String Quartet No. 2, Op. 64 'Quasi una fantasia'

Work length33:01

$5.50

$6.80

Royal String Quartet

I. Largo sostenuto, mesto

Track length7:48

$1.50

$1.85

II. Deciso, energico, marcatissimo sempre

Track length6:57

$1.00

$1.25

III. Arioso: Adagio cantabile ma molto espressivo e molto appassionato

Track length8:00

$1.50

$1.85

IV. Allegro sempre con grande passione e molto marcato

Track length10:16

$1.50

$1.85

Gorecki: String Quartet No. 3, Op. 67 '...songs are sung'

Work length55:49

$9.20

$11.25

Royal String Quartet

I. Adagio, molto andante, cantabile

Track length11:11

$2.05

$2.50

II. Largo cantabile

Track length12:54

$2.05

$2.50

III. Allegro sempre ben marcato

Track length4:50

$1.00

$1.25

IV. Deciso, espressivo ma ben tenuto

Track length12:24

$2.05

$2.50

V. Largo, tranquillo

Track length14:30

$2.05

$2.50

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Henryk Górecki’s intriguing string quartets, all commissions from the Kronos Quartet of San Francisco, signified a new creative phase in his music. The stark contrasts that had been at the heart of Górecki’s compositional thinking in the 1950s and 1960s re-emerged in his chamber music of the mid 1980s and are prevalent in these works. Fans of Górecki will be familiar with the compositional devices employed such as open fifths, sustained rocking motifs, and the juxtaposition of dissonance and consonance.

In these distinctive quartets both Beethoven and Szymanowski’s well documented influences on the composer are apparent as well as his fascination with the folk cultures of Southern Poland, with the frequent incorporation of folk derived themes.

Following their acclaimed release of the Szymanowski/Rózycki String Quartets (CDA67684) the Royal String Quartet return for their second Hyperion recording. The young Polish Quartet, renowned for the championing of music from their homeland, display an astonishing range of colour, finesse and attack in these intelligent interpretations.

Reviews

May 2011

The quartets were commissioned by Kronos...but the Royal's performances rival them with playing that is passionate and sharp-edged, capturing the emotional depth and intensity of the music equally vividly.

April 2011

The Royal Quartet is outstanding in every respect...The sheer poise of the playing in the last movement of the Third, never slackening for a moment, is absolutely remarkable...This is an outstanding tribute to a great composer.

9th April 2011

The Polish members of the Royal Quartet penetrate the core of the three string quartets by their compatriot Górecki. They’re tougher on the ear than his renowned Third Symphony, though stamped with the same stark simplicity. Each piece swings between concord, dissonance, calm and fury, with Polish folk music lurking on the horizon.

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Górecki: The 3 String Quartets

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