Gorecki: String Quartets Nos.1 & 2

Henryk Górecki's ''Already It Is Dusk'' mixes past and present, drawing on folk music of his native country Poland, using both dances and dirges, while "Quasi una Fantasia" carries a subtle undertone of deep-seated hallucination through its cumulative repetitions. But his quotations are less specific and literal, and yet are presented in an edgy modern harmonization that makes them seem searingly angry and accusatory. This is especially evident with the Kronos's acidic timbre that seems to add fuel to the mounting tension.

Henryk Górecki
String Quartets Nos.1 & 2 (1993)
Kronos Quartet
Elektra Nonesuch 9 79319-2

1. String Quartet No.1 Op.62 'Already It Is Dusk' - Deciso - Molto Lento - Tranquillo - Allegro Deciso - Gridando - Martellando - Tempestoso - Molto Lento - Tranquillissimo
2. String Quartet No.2 Op.64 'Quasi Una Fantasia' - I. Largo Sostenuto - Mesto
3. String Quartet No.2 Op.64 'Quasi Una Fantasia' - II. Deciso - Endergico - Furioso - Tranquillo - Mesto
4. String Quartet No.2 Op.64 'Quasi Una Fantasia' - III. Arioso - Adagio Cantabile
5. String Quartet No.2 Op.64 'Quasi Una Fantasia' - IV. Allegro - Sempre Con Grande Passione E Molto Marcato - Lento - Tranquillissimo