BOGUSLAW FURTOK (b. 1967): Quartets 2 & 5 for doublebass quartet; Three Pieces for Four Basses – The Flying Basses – Zuk Records 33, 63:37 [Distr. by Albany] *****:
This mostly rollicking as expected but also quite often enthralling and enchanting recital of music for a quartet made up entirely of doublebasses will gladden all fans of the most hopelessly romantic of the string instruments; contrary to popular belief, it ranges from the deep bass with only contra-bassoons for company to the high stratospheres where even violins fear to tread.
Led by Furtok, first chair bass of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, the effect is mostly drop dead gorgeous, especially when it’s a euphonious duet or trio, while composer Furtok has provided music of a very high class (i.e., tonal), indeed. Good for classical music beer parties, too. On the sound front, Zuk’s engineering team have produced an audiophile dream.
– Laurence Vittes
