Joseph Summer

Sea Change String Quartets

Albany, 2023

8/10

Listen to Sea Change String Quartets

The composer Joseph Summer returns with his 6th album on the Albany label, where the Ulysses Quartet flesh out the 2 very involved pieces.

“Sea Change #1” occupies the first half of the listen, where Christina Bouey and Rhiannon Banerdt’s meticulous violins interact with the cello and viola for a very gripping and flowing display of dynamic string interaction.

The back half of the affair, “Sea Change #2”, opens with a very intimate presence, where Colin Brookes’ expressive viola and Grace Ho’s poetic cello help the 3 chapters emit both minimal and busier moments.

A recording that captures Summer’s always exceptional vision of chamber music, the Ulysses Quartet’s unparalleled chemistry makes for a must hear record for those with an inkling towards strings.

Travels well with: Timothy Schwarz- The Living American; String Cosmology: Sinfonietta Of Riverdale