SACDs - Widmann, J

This is ‘Vivere’. Not exactly a cheerful disc - all three compositions refer in various ways to death. This is reflected in the key (D minor is the key of death), in the opposite number of the Maiden, and finally even literally, in the fact that cellist Geneviève 'dies' before the end of the album. For us, however, to record this dramatic repertoire is to offer an ode to life. ‘Vivere’ - for by listening to this sombre music one realises how wonderful life can be. Performed by the Ragazze Quartet, four young women in the midst of life. The Ragazze Quartet is a young, Dutch string quartet, remarkable for its musical enthusiasm, talent, versatility and presentation. Its versatility in particular is unusual within the world of chamber music.

The quartet collaborates with and performs alongside composers, other musicians - classical or otherwise - and artists working in a variety of disciplines. In such projects the Ragazze Quartet always operates from its classical music core, while attempting to attain the ultimate crossover. The different disciplines are approached entirely equally, but in so doing they complement and elevate one another.

The quartet followed the two-year full-time curriculum of the Dutch String Quartet Academy (NSKA). There the members attended masterclasses directed by leading musicians from the international string quartet world, as well as lessons from their regular teachers Stefan Metz and Marc Danel. After completing the academy course the quartet was coached for a year by Luc Marie Aguera, violinist in the Quatuor Ysaye; this was made possible by the Dutch Kersjes Foundation.

5SACD+1CD

Early in 2008, a number of highly regarded orchestras, choirs and soloists gathered for the very first Musica Viva Festival. This selection of recordings demonstrates a wide range of New Music. Jörg Widmann is a soloist in Reimann’s Cantus as well as having his own work Armonica for accordion and glass harmonica included here.