High Voltage Chamber Music
Navona, 2021
8/10
Listen to High Voltage Chamber Music
The revered composer Jan Järvlepp enlists some very impressive outfits to flesh out these 4 compositions, where Järvlepp’s first full length string quartet is present on the aptly titled listen.
The Sirius Quartet start the listen with the 3 movements of “Quintet 2003”, where their fascinating string delivery meshes violins, viola and cellos in way you’re not likely to hear anywhere else, and “Woodwind Quintet” follows with Arcadian Winds bringing their flutes, English horn, clarinet, French horn and flugelhorn to an initially busy, swift delivery, but then segues into sublime intimacy with much restraint.
The back half of the listen offers the very distinct and agile “Bassoon Quartet”, where 3 bassoons and a lone contrabassoon make for a playful, buzzing climate, as well as a soft, cinematic delivery, and String Quartet return at the end, and they bring tense moments as well as flowing melodies to their inimitable and stunning execution.
An accomplished listen that recruits much energy and also introspective moments, too, Järvlepp’s neoclassical nods certainly add much to the landscape, and the presence of so many instruments ensures something for everyone, though it’s pretty likely the entire journey will resonate.
Travels well with: Various Artists- Pinnacle Vol. 2; Bruce Crossman- Heaven To Earth Border House