Chamber Works
Navona, 2023
8/10
The prolific composer Sydney Hodkinson penned over 250 pieces in his life, and here we’re treated to four live recordings of his string quartets and a trio, “Rogatio Gravis”, which are illuminated by performances from the Benda Quartet, the Jupiter Quartet and Joaquin Valdepeñas, Mayumi Kanagawa and Joshua Roman.
“String Quartet No. 6” gets the listen off to an intimate start, where the stirring strings of the violins, viola and cello of the Benda quartet spread out across 2 chapters that can abruptly shift into busier moments of poetic interaction, and “String Quartet No. 8” follows with dancing strings, as Jakub Černohorský (violin), Ondřej Pustějovský (violin), Petr Benda (viola), and Tomáš Svozil (cello), i.e. Benda Quartet, impress with their dynamic collaboration.
The middle tracks belong to Jupiter Quartet, where the tense and cinematic “String Quartet No. 7” flows with a stunning delivery of exploration, while “String Quartet No. 5” emits mystery and a very animated presence that is just so carefully executed.
The final piece and lone trio offering, “Rogatio Gravis”, places Joaquin Valdepeñas on clarinet, Mayumi Kanagawa on violin and Joshua Roman on cello for the atmospheric and cautious finish that is textured with a fascinating appeal.
A posthumous listen from a mind that was versed in educational literature, chamber arrangements, and large-scale orchestral pieces, this project sure does preserve Hodkinson’s legacy well, and captures his inimitable vision.
Travels well with: Vincent Ho- Sandman’s Castle; The Lowell Chamber Orchestra- Miniature Symphonies