|
Peteris Vasks Navarra Quartet String Quartets nos. 1-3Composer: Peteris Vasks |
1CD |
Jewelcase |
Challenge Classics |
0608917236521 | CC 72365 | 09-2010 €17.95
|
INFORMATION
Xander Van Vliet: violin
Marije Ploemacher: violin
Simone van der Giessen: viola
Nathaniel Boyd: violoncello
"His music is the product of a country that for years struggled under the yoke of the Soviet regime.“How can a composer create in such surroundings?” Vasks often wondered. “How does he survive in such a chronically dire situation?” His answer seems simple: “By suffering in sympathy with the suffering of the entire world. For me, this is the only solution. Suffering is not a game or a fantasy to me. I sit in the midst of it; my Family sits in the midst of it; my people. I feel the heartbeat of suffering. That is for me the source of our power.” And the source of his music, as well, for in his scores, Vasks is a somber pessimist with a glowing edge of never-flagging hope. He agitates in his work against the situation in his country. “When I think about modern life, it is impossible to not realize that we are balancing on the edge of the end of time.” They are heavy themes that motivate
Vasks’ music – in his string quartets, too. In his first three String Quartets –
he has written five – the transformation is clearly perceptible from the direct
sources of his inspiration to an abstraction of his worry and suffering.
In every movement of the First String Quartet, written in 1977 and revised
in 1997, sings the formerly gagged voice of an oppressed Latvian.
The Second String Quartet, from 1984, bears the title Vasaras dziedajumi
(Summer Tunes) and is a reflection of Vasks’ love for nature, especially
birds.
In his Third String Quartet, from 1995, Vasks not only transformed his string quartet writing to a coherent style that reserves an important role for the harmonic overtone series, he also attained a level of abstraction that presents suffering, nature and birds, but in a highly stylized form.
Although this Third Quartet is more abstract, the most important symbols
of Vasks’ work still figure prominently: the aleatoric passages representing
chaos, the birdsong (birds represent ultimate freedom for Vasks), the folk
music that underscores a Latvian identity, and the lovely cantilenas that
represent both a soothing somberness and consoling hope. “I see it as my
duty to bring light into the lives of my people, a people who have suffered
so much and despite their regained independence are still far removed from actual freedom.” - (parts of the linernotes with this cd by Paul Janssen )
Marije Ploemacher: violin
Simone van der Giessen: viola
Nathaniel Boyd: violoncello
"His music is the product of a country that for years struggled under the yoke of the Soviet regime.“How can a composer create in such surroundings?” Vasks often wondered. “How does he survive in such a chronically dire situation?” His answer seems simple: “By suffering in sympathy with the suffering of the entire world. For me, this is the only solution. Suffering is not a game or a fantasy to me. I sit in the midst of it; my Family sits in the midst of it; my people. I feel the heartbeat of suffering. That is for me the source of our power.” And the source of his music, as well, for in his scores, Vasks is a somber pessimist with a glowing edge of never-flagging hope. He agitates in his work against the situation in his country. “When I think about modern life, it is impossible to not realize that we are balancing on the edge of the end of time.” They are heavy themes that motivate
Vasks’ music – in his string quartets, too. In his first three String Quartets –
he has written five – the transformation is clearly perceptible from the direct
sources of his inspiration to an abstraction of his worry and suffering.
In every movement of the First String Quartet, written in 1977 and revised
in 1997, sings the formerly gagged voice of an oppressed Latvian.
The Second String Quartet, from 1984, bears the title Vasaras dziedajumi
(Summer Tunes) and is a reflection of Vasks’ love for nature, especially
birds.
In his Third String Quartet, from 1995, Vasks not only transformed his string quartet writing to a coherent style that reserves an important role for the harmonic overtone series, he also attained a level of abstraction that presents suffering, nature and birds, but in a highly stylized form.
Although this Third Quartet is more abstract, the most important symbols
of Vasks’ work still figure prominently: the aleatoric passages representing
chaos, the birdsong (birds represent ultimate freedom for Vasks), the folk
music that underscores a Latvian identity, and the lovely cantilenas that
represent both a soothing somberness and consoling hope. “I see it as my
duty to bring light into the lives of my people, a people who have suffered
so much and despite their regained independence are still far removed from actual freedom.” - (parts of the linernotes with this cd by Paul Janssen )
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VIDEOS
PRESS REVIEWS
''Het is te hopen dat de plaateditie [van het vierde en vijfde strijkkwartet van Vasks] ook dan voor het Navarra Quartet wordt verzorgd, want dit jonge, in Engeland gevestigde, maar voor driekwart uit Nederlanders bestaande gezelschap begrijpt zijn muziek tot op de microseconde, en speelt op een niveau dat als uitzonderlijk mag worden betiteld. 5 sterren!'' Frits van der Waa Volkskrant 16 september 2010
''Let's hope that this records can also be provided by the Navarra Quartet [of the 4th and 5th String Quartet of Vasks], because this young UK-based, but existing out of 3 Dutch players and 1 English ensemble, understands his music down to the microsecond, and plays at a level can be characterized as exceptionally.'' Frits van der Waa Volkskrant 16 september 2010
''Vasks bestimmte expressive Typen zu höchster Vollendung gebracht: die instrumentale Klage zwischen kaum hörbarem Hauchen und Schmerzensschrei und das aufgewühlte chaos.'' Christoph Schlüren Crescendo september 2010
''Vasks heeft bepaalde expressieve soorten gebracht tot in de perfectie: de instrumentele actie tussen nauwelijks hoorbare adem, schreeuw van pijn en onrustige chaos.'' Christoph Schlüren Crescendo september 2010
''Vasks brought certain expressive types to perfection: the instrumentale action between hardly audible breath, a cry of pain and the troubled chaos.'' Christop Schlüren Crescendo september 2010
''Over het Navarra Quartet kunnen we heel kort zijn: klasse! PS Mania Klassiek oktober 2010
''We can be very brief about the Navarra Quartet: Amazing!'' PS Mania Klassiek October 2010
''Ze spelen dit repertoire met de grootst mogelijke overtuiging en te oordelen naar de foto in het boekje, tot volle tevredenheid van de componist.'' Siebe Riedstra Luister november 2010
''They play this repertoire with the utmost conviction, and judging by the photo in the book, to the satisfaction of the composer.'' Siebe Riedstra Luister november 2010
''De bloedmooie uitvoering vergoedt veel. Het Navarra heeft zich gespecialiseerd in een fijn geslepen expressie. Loep zuivere intonaties brengen een sonoriteit teweeg die een sensatie op zich belichaamt.'' Thiemo Wind Telegraaf 16 oktober 2010
''The stunning performance compensates a lot. The Navarra has specialized in a finely polished expression. Flawless intonations bring a sonority that causes a sensation in itself. Thiemo Wind Telegraaf 16 oktober 2010
''The playing is nothing short of sensational, the precision and enormous dynamics absolutely thrilling, as is the clarity of recording.'' DD Yorkshirepost.co October 2010
''Het spelen is niets minder dan sensationeel, de precisie en enorme dynamiek zijn zeer spannend, net als de helderheid van de opname.'' DD Yorkshirepost.co oktober 2010
''De overige zes cd's danken hun plaats dan ook allereerst aan de verbluffende en/of vernieuwende kwaliteiten van de interpreten. De ontdekkingsreizigers mochten daarbij wat hoger aangeslagen worden dan de diepe delvers in vertrouwde grond.'' #10 Top Tien Frits van der Waa De Volkskrant november 2010
''The other six CDs owe their place foremost to the stunning and/or innovative qualities of the performers. These explorers were to be rated somewhat higher than the deep diggers in familiar ground.'' The Navarra Quartet was in the #10 Top Ten of 2010 of Frits van der Waa of De Volkskrant - November 2010
"Die strukturell und musikalisch komplexen Quartette sind enorm ausdrucksstark, geistig tief schürfend und gleichzeitig sehr emotional" Réf Pizzicato November 2010
"De structureel en muzikaal complexe kwartetten zijn zeer expressief, diepgaand intellectueel en tegelijkertijd zeer emotioneel." Réf Pizzicato november 2010
"The structurally and musically complex quartets are extremely expressive, intellectually profound and also very emotional." Réf Pizzicato November 2010
"All three works, recorded in the present of the composer, are projected with almost graphic immediacy by the Navarra Quartet who deliver compelling performances captured here in extremely vivid sound. Overall, then, this disc comes hotly recommended. 5 Star Performance, 5 Star Recording." Erik Levi, BBC Music Magazine Christmas Edition 2010.
"Alle drie de werken, opgenomen in aanwezigheid van de componist, worden met een bijna grafische directheid geprojecteerd door het Navarra Quartet. Het levert interpretaties met een extreem levendig geluid. Over het algemeen is deze cd zeer aan te raden. 5 Star Performance, 5 Star Recording." BBC Music Magazine Christmas Edition 2010
"On stage, it all comes down to strong emotional involvement in perfect balance with one another, ranging from immaculate phrasing to finely shaded dynamics. These bold performances deliver a strongly poetic and dramatic pulse, at the same time underlining the beautiful organic qualities of these works." Aart van der Wal musicweb-international.com December 2010
"Op het podium komt het allemaal neer op een sterke emotionele betrokkenheid in perfecte balans met elkaar, variërend van onbevlekte frasering tot verfijnd gekleurde dynamiek. Deze gedurfde uitvoeringen hebben een sterk poëtische en dramatische pulsatie, die tegelijkertijd de prachtige organische kwaliteiten van deze werken onderstrepen." Aart van der Wal musicweb-international.com december 2010
"He may perhaps not be innovative but music is about feelings, music should touch people. That’s what it’s about. We realise that every time we perform his work in concert. - Marije Ploemacher." Philip Smet RNW.nl december 2010
"Hij kan misschien niet zo vernieuwend zijn, maar muziek gaat over gevoelens, muziek moet mensen raken. Dat is waar het over gaat. Wij realiseren ons dat, elke keer dat we zijn werk spelen bij concerten." Philip Smet RNW.nl December 2010
"Het zou filmmuziek kunnen zijn. Een dicht bos. Een winderige akker waarop een duister type rondwaart. 'Het is wel een uitdaging om een beetje een normaal leven te behouden. Maar juist omdat het kwartetspelen muzikaal zo onvergelijkbaar bevredigd is, is het de moeite daar dan maar je best voor te doen." Mischa Spel NCR Handelsblad januari 2011
"This could be film music . A dense forest. A windy field where a dark individual walks about. 'It's indeed a challenge to maintain a normal life. But just because of the fact that playing in a quartet is musically so fulfilling, it is worth to put all your effort in it." Mischa Spel NCR Handelsblad January 2011
''Let's hope that this records can also be provided by the Navarra Quartet [of the 4th and 5th String Quartet of Vasks], because this young UK-based, but existing out of 3 Dutch players and 1 English ensemble, understands his music down to the microsecond, and plays at a level can be characterized as exceptionally.'' Frits van der Waa Volkskrant 16 september 2010
''Vasks bestimmte expressive Typen zu höchster Vollendung gebracht: die instrumentale Klage zwischen kaum hörbarem Hauchen und Schmerzensschrei und das aufgewühlte chaos.'' Christoph Schlüren Crescendo september 2010
''Vasks heeft bepaalde expressieve soorten gebracht tot in de perfectie: de instrumentele actie tussen nauwelijks hoorbare adem, schreeuw van pijn en onrustige chaos.'' Christoph Schlüren Crescendo september 2010
''Vasks brought certain expressive types to perfection: the instrumentale action between hardly audible breath, a cry of pain and the troubled chaos.'' Christop Schlüren Crescendo september 2010
''Over het Navarra Quartet kunnen we heel kort zijn: klasse! PS Mania Klassiek oktober 2010
''We can be very brief about the Navarra Quartet: Amazing!'' PS Mania Klassiek October 2010
''Ze spelen dit repertoire met de grootst mogelijke overtuiging en te oordelen naar de foto in het boekje, tot volle tevredenheid van de componist.'' Siebe Riedstra Luister november 2010
''They play this repertoire with the utmost conviction, and judging by the photo in the book, to the satisfaction of the composer.'' Siebe Riedstra Luister november 2010
''De bloedmooie uitvoering vergoedt veel. Het Navarra heeft zich gespecialiseerd in een fijn geslepen expressie. Loep zuivere intonaties brengen een sonoriteit teweeg die een sensatie op zich belichaamt.'' Thiemo Wind Telegraaf 16 oktober 2010
''The stunning performance compensates a lot. The Navarra has specialized in a finely polished expression. Flawless intonations bring a sonority that causes a sensation in itself. Thiemo Wind Telegraaf 16 oktober 2010
''The playing is nothing short of sensational, the precision and enormous dynamics absolutely thrilling, as is the clarity of recording.'' DD Yorkshirepost.co October 2010
''Het spelen is niets minder dan sensationeel, de precisie en enorme dynamiek zijn zeer spannend, net als de helderheid van de opname.'' DD Yorkshirepost.co oktober 2010
''De overige zes cd's danken hun plaats dan ook allereerst aan de verbluffende en/of vernieuwende kwaliteiten van de interpreten. De ontdekkingsreizigers mochten daarbij wat hoger aangeslagen worden dan de diepe delvers in vertrouwde grond.'' #10 Top Tien Frits van der Waa De Volkskrant november 2010
''The other six CDs owe their place foremost to the stunning and/or innovative qualities of the performers. These explorers were to be rated somewhat higher than the deep diggers in familiar ground.'' The Navarra Quartet was in the #10 Top Ten of 2010 of Frits van der Waa of De Volkskrant - November 2010
"Die strukturell und musikalisch komplexen Quartette sind enorm ausdrucksstark, geistig tief schürfend und gleichzeitig sehr emotional" Réf Pizzicato November 2010
"De structureel en muzikaal complexe kwartetten zijn zeer expressief, diepgaand intellectueel en tegelijkertijd zeer emotioneel." Réf Pizzicato november 2010
"The structurally and musically complex quartets are extremely expressive, intellectually profound and also very emotional." Réf Pizzicato November 2010
"All three works, recorded in the present of the composer, are projected with almost graphic immediacy by the Navarra Quartet who deliver compelling performances captured here in extremely vivid sound. Overall, then, this disc comes hotly recommended. 5 Star Performance, 5 Star Recording." Erik Levi, BBC Music Magazine Christmas Edition 2010.
"Alle drie de werken, opgenomen in aanwezigheid van de componist, worden met een bijna grafische directheid geprojecteerd door het Navarra Quartet. Het levert interpretaties met een extreem levendig geluid. Over het algemeen is deze cd zeer aan te raden. 5 Star Performance, 5 Star Recording." BBC Music Magazine Christmas Edition 2010
"On stage, it all comes down to strong emotional involvement in perfect balance with one another, ranging from immaculate phrasing to finely shaded dynamics. These bold performances deliver a strongly poetic and dramatic pulse, at the same time underlining the beautiful organic qualities of these works." Aart van der Wal musicweb-international.com December 2010
"Op het podium komt het allemaal neer op een sterke emotionele betrokkenheid in perfecte balans met elkaar, variërend van onbevlekte frasering tot verfijnd gekleurde dynamiek. Deze gedurfde uitvoeringen hebben een sterk poëtische en dramatische pulsatie, die tegelijkertijd de prachtige organische kwaliteiten van deze werken onderstrepen." Aart van der Wal musicweb-international.com december 2010
"He may perhaps not be innovative but music is about feelings, music should touch people. That’s what it’s about. We realise that every time we perform his work in concert. - Marije Ploemacher." Philip Smet RNW.nl december 2010
"Hij kan misschien niet zo vernieuwend zijn, maar muziek gaat over gevoelens, muziek moet mensen raken. Dat is waar het over gaat. Wij realiseren ons dat, elke keer dat we zijn werk spelen bij concerten." Philip Smet RNW.nl December 2010
"Het zou filmmuziek kunnen zijn. Een dicht bos. Een winderige akker waarop een duister type rondwaart. 'Het is wel een uitdaging om een beetje een normaal leven te behouden. Maar juist omdat het kwartetspelen muzikaal zo onvergelijkbaar bevredigd is, is het de moeite daar dan maar je best voor te doen." Mischa Spel NCR Handelsblad januari 2011
"This could be film music . A dense forest. A windy field where a dark individual walks about. 'It's indeed a challenge to maintain a normal life. But just because of the fact that playing in a quartet is musically so fulfilling, it is worth to put all your effort in it." Mischa Spel NCR Handelsblad January 2011
TRACKS
- 1 String Quartet no. 3 - Moderato
- 2 String Quartet no. 3 - Allegro Energico
- 3 String Quartet no. 3 - Adagio
- 4 String Quartet no. 3 - Moderato-Allegro-Andante-Moderato
- 5 String Quartet no. 2 "Summer Tunes" - Coming Into Bloom
- 6 String Quartet no. 2 "Summer Tunes" - Birds
- 7 String Quartet no. 2 "Summer Tunes" - Elegy
- 8 String Quartet no. 1 - Intrada: Moderato
- 9 String Quartet no. 1 - Sonata: Allegro
- 10 String Quartet no. 1 - Melodia: Tranquillo
Comments
Challenge Records International15|10|2010 08:34We have mailed you personally
Jean OConnor15|10|2010 03:50
I am producing a CD that requires a music background. Please contact me with an email and telephone so that I can contact you,
especially, Peteris Vasks
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€17.95
String Quartets nos. 1-3
Navarra Quartet / Peteris Vasks
Navarra Quartet / Peteris Vasks
