Three Quartets
Acis, 2026
9/10
The composer and critic Greg Sandow enlists the esteemed Terra String Quartet for a trio of pieces that are nothing short of meticulous.
The heartfelt and graceful “Quartet For Anne” opens with Audrey Chen’s lovely cello interacting intimately with the violins and cello, and “The Remembered Song” follows with percussive sounds before the tense viola from Chih-Ta Chen enters the cinematic bursts and balancing of softness and firmness.
“Mahler Variations” exits, and it’s a 26+ minute piece where Harriet Langley and Amelia Dietrich’s meticulous violins radiate much emotion, as the chapters become animated, bouncy and even ominous.
The album was captured at the Dekelboum Concert Hall, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland on January 21–23, 2025, where the quartet’s incredible chemistry illuminates Sandow’s vision of classical music superbly.
Travels well with: Natalie Draper/Anne Laver- Interlaced; Reena Esmail- Exaltations