Sirius Quartet

Playing On The Edge 3

Navona, 2023

9/10

Listen to Playing On The Edge 3

The composers Bernard Hughes, John Summers, Liova Bueno, Mark Edwards Wilson, Nathan Ball, Peter Dickinson Lopez, L Peter Deutsch, Mark Elliot Jacobs, and Adam Grimes see their work fleshed out by the Sirius Quartet on this 3rd installment of their esteemed chamber presence.

“Dream- Crossed Twilight” opens the listen with Fung Chern Hwei and Gregor Huebner’s precise violins interacting with much grace and adventurousness across the 3 meticulous chapters, and “String Quartet No. 1: III. Energico, Ben Ritmico” follows with Ron Lawrence’s inimitable viola playing adding much to the mesmerizing climate.

In the middle, “I Must Grow Less” finds a very intimate place to reside thanks to Jeremy Harman’s moving cello, while “City Poem” illustrates a very cautious, dynamic interaction between the quartet that unfolds with so much beauty.

The final track, “MISE-EN Series II: Episode 1”, is the album’s best, and radiates a quivering demeanor that’s cinematic, atmospheric and full of striking, memorable song craft.

An often lush display that uses electro-acoustic instrumentation and nature-esque ideas, much like everything Sirius Quartet is apart of, the string execution is flawless.

Travels well with: Sirius Quartet- Playing On The Edge 2; Patterns- Chamber Works