Balanescu Quartet Plays Byrne / Moran / Lurie / Torke

The Balanescu Quartet is a Romanian avant-garde string quartet founded in 1987 by Alexander Bălănescu that achieved fame through the release of several complex cover versions of songs by German experimental electronic music band Kraftwerk. The quartet is mainly notable for its very distinctive style of music, which encompasses odd time rhythms, sound dissonances and complex arrangements. The group has performed multiple works with a variety of other artists, including David Byrne, Gavin Bryars, Michael Nyman, Rabih Abou-Khalil, Kevin Volans, Hector Zazou, and Spiritualized.

Balanescu Quartet
Byrne/Moran/Lurie/Torke (1992)
Argo 436 565-2

High Life for Nine Instruments (David Byrne)
Music from the Towers of Moon (Robert Moran)
Stranger Than Paradise (John Lurie)
Chalk (Michael Torke)
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1. High Life for Nine Instruments
2. Music From the Towers of the Moon: I
3. Music From the Towers of the Moon: II
4. Music From the Towers of the Moon: III
5. Music From the Towers of the Moon: IV
6. Stranger Than Paradise: I Bella By Barlight
7. Stranger Than Paradise: II Improvisation 1
8. Stranger Than Paradise: III the Good And Happy Army
9. Stranger Than Paradise: IV the Sad Trees/ the Lampposts Are Mine
10. Stranger Than Paradise: V Eva And Willie's Room/Eva Packing
11. Stranger Than Paradise: VI Improvisation 2
12. Chalk

Alexander Balanescu: violin
Clare Connors: violin
Bill Hawkes: viola
Caroline Dale: cello