After the successful release of part 1 in December 2008, the Ruysdael Quartet continue their journey with part 2 of their Russian Generations series. The new recording features all second string quartets by Tchaikovsky, Sergei and Gabriel Prokofiev. Tchaikovsky's second quartet is a seldom performed masterpiece with one of the most intensely personal slow movements the composer ever wrote. This is juxtaposed by Sergei Prokofievs op. 92, an exhilarating dance-like piece based on Kabardinian folk tunes. Gabriel Prokofievs 2nd quartet, like it's predecessor, is a thrilling work with a gripping rhythmical drive. But here the instruments are stretched even further to the extremes of their capabilities, creating a fascinating sound world. The Ruysdael Quartet was formed in 1996. They studied with the Amadeus Quartet, Hagen Quartet, Quatuor MosaÃ¯ques and over a two-year period with the Alban Berg Quartet at the "Hochschule fÃ¼r Musik", Cologne. Since then they have been regularly invited to take part in festivals and masterclasses, resulting in performances not only in Europe but also in Australia and the USA. The Ruysdael Quartet received a full scholarship to attend the 'International Chamber Music Academy Prague-Vienna-Budapest' ('99-'01) where they won the Bela Bartok Prize (1999), the Alban Berg Prize (2000) and the Tomastik-Infeld Prize (2001) with an invitation to make a recording for the Austrian National Radio. The quartet were winners of the 'Charles Hennen International Chamber Music Competition 2000' in Holland and were awarded the 'Prix de la SACEM' at the International String Quartet Competition 2001 in Bordeaux. In March 2002 they received the Press Prize and the AVRO Prize in the 'Vriendenkrans' competition in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. More recently they were recipients of the prestigious "Kersjes van de Groenekan" Prize, a major musical award in the Netherlands.

Tracklist:

String Quartet No. 2 Op. 22: I - Adagio-Moderato Assai
String Quartet No. 2 Op. 22: II - Scherzo: Allegro Giusto
String Quartet No. 2 Op. 22: III - Andante Ma Non Tanto
String Quartet No. 2 Op. 22: IV - Finale: Allegro Con Moto
String Quartet No. 2 Op. 92: I - Allegro Sostenuto
String Quartet No. 2 Op. 92: II - Adagio
String Quartet No. 2 Op. 92: III - Allegro
String Quartet No. 2: I - 1st Momevent
String Quartet No. 2: II - Strange Arp
String Quartet No. 2: III - Promenade Dans Le Bois
String Quartet No. 2: IV - Geet

UPC: 8713897902167
Label: Cobra Records
Release Date: 2.9.10
Format: CD

Ruysdael Quartet - Russian Generation 2 (CD)