In this recording of Alexander Zemlinsky's (1871-1942) complete String Quartets, the Brodsky Quartet gives fresh life to the composer's works, 'with a spirit so transformational you felt they were actually improving the world', as reported by the Strad after a recent concert performance. The four string quartets represent a journey through Zemlinsky's musical thought. The Brahmsian, youthful Quartet in A, op. 4 is generously proportioned and less earnest in mood than some earlier works. The Second Quartet, op. 15 echoes the composer's years of emotional crisis. Contrastingly, the Third Quartet, op. 19 appears to be a sarcastic protest against modernism, Zemlinsky exploiting a minimum of material to maximum effect. Having been blacklisted and his music declared 'degenerate', the Fourth Quartet, op. 25 (1936) only achieved it's first public performance in 1967. It deploys a wealth of thematic ideas in a process of continual variation and metamorphosis that follows the outlines of sonata form. The String Quartet in E minor failed to pass it's trial at the Viennese Tonkunstlerverein when first presented in 1893. Not published until 1997, it appears here on disc for the first time.

Tracklist:

String Quartet No. 1 In A Major, Op. 4: I. Allegro Con Fuoco
String Quartet No. 1 In A Major, Op. 4: II. Allegretto - Quarter Note: Etwas Schneller Als Fruher (Quarter Note - 6/8 Prestissim
String Quartet No. 1 In A Major, Op. 4: III. Breit Und Kraftig
String Quartet No. 1 In A Major, Op. 4: IV. Vivace E Con Fuoco
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: Sehr Massig - Heftig Und Leidenschaftlich - Tempo I - Heftig Bewegt - Energisch - Etwas Breiter -
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: Andante Mosso - Etwas Rascher - Tempo I - Andante -
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: Adagio - Ungemein Ruhig - Steigernd - Noch Langsamer -
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: Schnell -
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: Im Selben Tempo, Doch Sehr Ruhig - Tempo - Andante - Sehr Ruhig -
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: Mit Energischer Entschlossenheit - Andante - Etwas Breiter - Allegro Molto - Sturmisch - Etwas Lan
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: Tempo I - Ruhig - Tempo I - Ruhiger - Drangender - Vorwarts Sturmend - Langsam - Tempo I -
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: Andante - Noch Langsamer
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 19: I. Allegretto: Gemachlich, Innig Bewegt
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 19: II. Thema Mit Variationen: Geheimnisvoll Bewegt, Nich Zu Schnell - Variationen I-VII
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 19: III. Romanze: Sehr Massige Achtel, Andante Sostenuto
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 19: IV. Burleske: Sehr Lebhaft, Allegro Moderato
String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25, "Suite": I. Praludium: Poco Adagio
String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25, "Suite": II. Burleske: Vivace
String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25, "Suite": III. Adagietto: Adagio
String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25, "Suite": IV. Intermezzo: Allegretto
String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25, "Suite": V. Barcarole (Thema Mit Variationen): Poco Adagio
String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25, "Suite": VI. Finale: Doppelfuge: Allegro Molto Energico
String Quartet In E Minor: I. Allegro Moderato
String Quartet In E Minor: II. Scherzo: Allegro Scherzando - Intermezzo
String Quartet In E Minor: III. Andante - Poco Piu Mosso E Ben Marcato - Tranquillo - Adagio
String Quartet In E Minor: IV. Allegro Con Brio

UPC: 095115184523
Label: Chandos
Release Date: 2.24.15
Format: CD

Zemlinsky / Brodsky Quartet - String Quartets (2 CD)