Metamorphosis = BARTOK: Quartet No. 4; LIGETI: Quartet No. 1, “Metamorphoses nocturnes”; KURTAG: 12 Microludes for String Quartet, “Hommage a Andras Mihaly” – Casals Quartet – Harmonia mundi

by | Sep 26, 2010 | Classical CD Reviews | 0 comments

Metamorphosis = BARTOK: Quartet No. 4; LIGETI: Quartet No. 1, “Metamorphoses nocturnes”; KURTAG: 12 Microludes for String Quartet, “Hommage a Andras Mihaly” – Casals Quartet – Harmonia mundi 902062, 54:13 ****1/2:

This album brings together three works by Hungarian composers each related by a “golden thread”; Bartok of course was the Patriarch of this seminal movement, Ligeti (especially in this work) greatly influenced by Bartok’s fourth quartet, and Kurtag’s piece related by system—each of the twelve parts begin on a different not of the chromatic scale from C to B, just as in Bartok’s Mikrokosmos.

Bartok’s fourth quartet might just be his most strictly constructed—there are common thematic elements in the outer movements and scherzos, and the work employs many instrumental techniques that had not been used in such plentitude before, like harmonics, glissandos, playing on the bridge or on the wood of the bow, etc. It is slightly “creepy” in places due to its use of mutes in each movement, yet no less memorable for that.

Ligeti’s piece is supremely communicative, an early work that takes as its premise the idea of “night music” and the model of Bartok’s technical facility in this quartet. It is based on a series of four notes which are then transformed through a process of variation and development, though one is not consciously aware of this fact. But Ligeti’s constructs are completely engrossing and engaging, a wonderful work that everyone should know (Metamorphoses nocturnes was the original title of this work).

Kurtag is another master of the descriptive and communicative. As mentioned, his work is linked to the Mikrokosmos of Bartok, and displays a superb ability to explore and exploit human feelings and emotions. The piece is full of contrasts and all sorts of “grab your attention” gestures that allow the listener to be fully absorbed into Kurtag’s musical kaleidoscope.

The Casals Quartet is once again very impressive in music that they obviously have a great affinity for, and have set up a program of tremendous interest that should prove attractive to all but the most modern music-forlorn listeners. Sound is terrific, timing a little short.

— Steven Ritter

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