Brodsky Quartet - Lament (1994)

The Brodsky's new recording, "Lament" (Silva Classics SILKD 6001; CD and cassette), steers a middle course between what the quartet does normally and what it did with Elvis Costello, who returns for a cameo after his earlier collaboration with the quartet on "The Juliet Letters" for Warner Brothers. Of the nine works here, two are by Michael Thomas, the first violinist, and two are arrangements by Paul Cassidy, the violist. Both performers are clearly comfortable writing for the quartet medium; whether they can establish distinctive compositional voices is another issue. However, these players use their instruments uninhibitedly to create sound effects, some aggressive, some delicate, and exhibit a sense of humor, virtuosity and an ear for musical dialogue that are strikingly imaginative.

Tracklist

1-3. Igor Stravinsky / Three Pieces for String Quartet
4. Javier Alvarez / Metro Chabacano
5. Herbert Hughes with Elvis Costello / She Moved Through the Fair
6. David Matthews / Adagio
7-11. Pawel Szymanski / Five Pieces for String Quartet
12. Jules Massenet with Wilhelmenia Fernandez / Élégie
13. Michael Thomas / Harold In Islington
14. Michael Thomas / Variations on a Theme of Banjo Patterson, 'Waltzing Matilda'
15. Peter Sculthorpe with Susan Monks & Mary Scully / Lament


Silva Classics: SILKD 6001