The string quartets by Leos Janacek can without any doubt be counted among the highlights of chamber music works of the period between the two World Wars. His first quartet from 1923 titled "Kreutzer Sonata" refers to the eponymous novella by Leo Tolstoy, a story about adultery and murder of jealousy, quickened by the power of music, and an expression of Tolstoy's deeply Christian and anarchistic understanding of sociology. "Intimate letters", Janaceks second string quartet composed in 1928, documents his discontent with his own conjugal life, depicting his long-term platonic affection for the likewise married Kamila StÃ¶sslova, with whom he exchanged more than 700 love letters. The Carinthian ensemble Acies Quartet presents yet another album of furious brilliance paired with their unmatched emotional profundity.

Tracklist:

String Quartet No. 1, Jw VII/8 "Kreutzer Sonata": I. Adagio Con Moto
String Quartet No. 1, Jw VII/8 "Kreutzer Sonata": II. Con Moto
String Quartet No. 1, Jw VII/8 "Kreutzer Sonata": III. Con Moto - Vivo - Andante
String Quartet No. 1, Jw VII/8 "Kreutzer Sonata": IV. Con Moto (Adagio) - Più Mosso
String Quartet No. 2, Jw VII/13 "Intimate Letters": I. Andante - Con Moto - Allegro
String Quartet No. 2, Jw VII/13 "Intimate Letters": II. Adagio - Vivace
String Quartet No. 2, Jw VII/13 "Intimate Letters": III. Moderato - Adagio - Allegro
String Quartet No. 2, Jw VII/13 "Intimate Letters": IV. Allegro - Andante - Adagio

UPC: 9003643990029
Label: Gramola
Release Date: 5.18.18
Format: CD

Janacek / Acies Quartett - String Quartets (CD)