Quadrants Vol. 4
Navona, 2023
8/10
This 4th part of a series of string quartet recordings by contemporary composers recruits Daniel Gil, Jacob E. Goodman, John Summers, Sami Seif, and Judith Lang Zaimont’s work, where several quartets flesh out the diverse chamber sounds.
Zaimont’s “String Quartet The Figure” opens the listen with the Harlem Quartet’s strings interacting with much intimacy and grace, as Ilmar Gavilán and Melissa White’s expressive violins make an indelible impression, and Seif’s “Orientalism” follows with Cecelia Swanson’s flowing, poetic cello complementing the rest of the Elless Quartet’s sublime string prowess.
In the middle, “String Quartet”, by Summers, showcases Ron Lawrence’s viola, Gregor Huebner’s violin and Jeremy Harmon’s cello meshing with a stirring and melodic presence, making this portion from the Sirius Quartet the album’s best.
At the end, Goodman’s “String Quartet No. 1” showcases the tremendous and unpredictable interplay between the Benda Quartet, where Petr Grabovsky’s elegant violin is particularly gripping, and Gil’s “Peacemaking In Three Movements” is populated by Invoke’s violins, mandolin, cello, banjo and many voices that are nothing short of captivating.
The subject matter surrounds Kabbalistic philosophy, English urban poetry, and Arabic cultural identity, as the ensembles perform with a versatile and dexterous ability that really spotlights each composer’s specific vision.
Travels well with: Richard E Brown- Trios & Sonatinas; Garth Baxter- Ask Of Me What The Birds Sang