Used Bin Troll Tweets EE.

Ethelbert Nevin

[January 2018.]

Paweł SZYMAŃSKI: Five Pieces for String Quartet (1992); Four Pieces for String Quartet (2013); Two Pieces for String Quartet (1982). Paweł MYKIETYN: String Quartet No. 2 (2006). Royal String Quartet: Izabella Szałaj-Zimak, Elwira Przybyłowska (vln), Marek Czech (vla), Michał Pepol (vlc). Hyperion CDA68085 (1 CD) (http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/).

Among the most elusive quartet works imaginable. Alternately harsh or crystalline, with microtones and glissandos among tonal anchors. MAYBE.

Claude BAKER: Piano Concerto, “From Noon to Starry Night” (2010)¹; Aus Schwanengesang (2001)². Marc-André Hamelin¹ (pno), Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra^1,2, Gilbert Varga¹, Juanjo Mena² (cond.). Naxos 8.559804 (1 CD) (http://www.naxos.com/).

Quotation can be an effective technique, but for it to be meaningful there should be a fundamental style and there’s little of that here. NO.

Elfrida ANDRÉE: Piano Trio in G minor (1883-84)¹. Laura NETZEL: Cello Sonata in E minor, Op. 66 (1899)². Valborg AULÍN: String Quartet in F Major, Op. 17, No. 1 (1884)³; String Quartet in E Minor, Op. 17, No. 2 (1889)⁴. Alice TEGNÉR: Violin Sonata in A minor (1901)⁵. Amanda RÖNTGEN-MAIER: Violin Sonata in B Minor (1878)⁶. Bernt Lysell^1,5,6 (vln), Ola Karlsson^1,2 (vlc), Lucia Negro^1,2,5,6 (pno), Tale Quartet^3,4: Tale Olsson, Patrik Swedrup (vln), Ingegerd Kierkegaard (vla), Helena Nilsson (vlc). Musica Sveciae MSCD528-29 (2 CDs).

Enthusiastic performances of forgotten Swedish chamber pieces, all by women composers. The two Aulín quartets deserve wider recognition. YES.

Valentin SILVESTROV: Piano Sonata No. 1 (1972; rev. 1999); Classical Sonata (1963; rev. 1974); Piano Sonata No. 2 (1975; rev. 1999); Children’s Music I (1973); Piano Sonata No. 3 (1979; rev. 1999); Nostalghia (2001). Simon Smith (pno). Delphian DCD34151 (1 CD) (http://delphianrecords.co.uk/).

The ironic hints are rushed and the Mozartian touches are taken much too seriously. This is how Silvestrov slips through Smith’s fingers. NO.

“Complete String Quartets.” Harrison BIRTWISTLE: Tree of Strings (2007); 9 Movements (1991-96). Arditti Quartet: Irvine Arditti, Ashot Sarkissjan (vln), Ralf Ehlers (vla), Lucas Fels (vlc). Aeon AECD1217 (1 CD) (http://www.outhere-music.com/).

Surprisingly awkward and ho-hum considering Birtwistle’s proven virtuosity elsewhere. The Arditti’s forthright coarseness doesn’t help. MAYBE.

Franz LISZT: Années de pèlerinage: Deuxième année: Italie (excerpts) (1846-49); Années de pèlerinage: Deuxième année, Supplément: Gondoliera (1859); Deux Légendes (1863). Wilhelm Kempff (pno). Deutsche Grammophon DG 00289 477 9374 (1 CD) (http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/).

Various pressings exist of the 79-year-old Kempff’s ravishing Liszt, perfectly equalized between showmanship and monastic contemplation. YES.