essential recording
Kronos’s second Nonesuch record combines seemingly unrelated work into a fairly seamless whole. From the off-kilter jazz of Ornette Coleman’s “Lonely Woman” to the strains of Bela Bartók’s String Quartet No. 3, this is an album of blues-tinged music. Kevin Volans, the South African composer, lends the disc its title and its opening track, which melts hesitantly familiar folk melodies into a racing quartet. Volans’s technique is not far removed from that of B [Read More...]
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
This Bartok quartet # 3 is superior to the grammy winning Emerson Quartet rendition(I also own) both artistically & technically(sound recording/reproduction).
This is an emotionally bright, joyful CD.
The ONLY problem is deciding which tracks to skip if your listening time only permits 30-45 minutes.
I agree with the previous reviewer…the Kronos rendition of Bartok Quartet #3 is charitably described as anemic. Compared to any number of other recordings (most notably, in my opinion, the 1963 Juilliard version), it underscores my feeling that Kronos would be well-advised to avoid the standard repertoire and stick to works composed specifically for them.
Aside from the lousy Bartok, the only piece of note (for me) was the Kevin Volans piece, which earns this album the lofty 3 stars I have given it. The other pieces seem to be largely filler, and are so unmemorable as to be forgotten as soon as they are finished. Definitely not one of Kronos’ better efforts.
This is one of Kronos’ weakest CDs. As a driving force for new music in the end of the 20th century and beginning of the 21st century, they’ve been invaluable in commissioning, performing and recording new works. But when they try to play the great music of old, they reveal themselves to be a below-average ensemble. Such is the case here with their Bartok 3, arguably the best of the composers’ six quartets. Kronos’ anemic sound is combined here with occasionally vague rhythm, utter lack of dynamic contrast and single-color playing, and the result is something of a joke, especially in comparison with some of the great recordings by groups such as the Emerson, Tokyo, and Takacs quartets.
The other works on the disc are weak and easily forgettable (including the odd, somewhat cheesy Johnston arrangement), though the Volans is mildly entertaining. In short, don’t waste your time or money on this recording.