VA - Michael G. Cunningham: An Arc of Quartets (2017)

As the title of this album suggests, AN ARC OF QUARTETS gives listeners unique access to a continuum of composer Michael G. Cunningham’s intricate and inviting string music. Five international string ensembles present the album’s seven compositions, including Sirius Quartet from New York; The Moravian Quartet from the Czech Republic; the Millennium Quartet from Florida; and The Pedroia Quartet and New England String Quartet, both from Massachusetts. These groups’ performances of Cunningham’s work present the hallmarks of his style of string writing, which is defined by a focus on rhythm, melody, and texture, as well as his gentle, yet often dissonant, harmonic language. Although these quartets contain a wide range of sounds and styles, Cunningham maintains a reliable attraction to tense, lyrical melodies, and energetic rhythms.

One specific string effect that pervades these works is the glissando, or slide sound, that is produced easily on string instruments. In the middle of String Quartet No. 3, we can hear glissandi spangle an all-pizzicato section, while in the “Zestful” movement of String Quartet No. 5, these sliding gestures are decorated with a trill. This piece’s marriage of Cunningham’s typical style with uncontrollable, rhythmic energy marks it as one of the more abstract works on the album.

Cunningham’s quartets utilize special sounds as accents to a core of intriguing textures, evocative melodies, and momentum-building rhythms, all of which remain compelling throughout the album. The composer’s impressive skill at creating musical lines is displayed particularly strongly in the “Song and Fantasia” movement of his String Quartet No. 1, a piece defined by both soulful lyricism and intense contrapuntal motion.

Overall, one can admire both the experimentation and consistency present in Cunningham’s string music, as highlighted by the works included on AN ARC OF QUARTETS. The quality of each of these pieces speaks to the strength of his approach to composition.

Tracklist:

String Quartet No. 1
1. I. Easter Variations, Op. 10 03:45
2. II. Song & Fantasia, Op. 14 06:13

Sirius Quartet

String Quartet No. 2, Op. 22 "3 Satires"
3. I. Brusque 06:58
4. II. Candidly 03:03
5. III. Crisp & Energetic 05:19

Sirius Quartet

String Quartet No. 3, Op. 69 "Partitions"
6. I. Quarter Note = Circa 70 03:38
7. II. — 03:38
8. III. — 03:32
9. IV. — 03:52

Moravian Quartet

String Quartet No. 4, Op. 117 "Interlacings"
10. I. Beginning 05:10
11. II. Scherzo 02:22
12. III. Adagio 03:05
13. IV. Finale 03:48

Pedroia String Quartet

String Quartet No. 5, Op. 137 "Aggregates"
14. I. Zestful 04:55
15. II. Languid 03:45
16. III. Spirited 04:46

New England String Quartet

String Quartet No. 6, Op. 215 "Digital Isorhythm"
17. I. Caleando/Slargando 03:44
18. II. Canso 03:45
19. III. Energico 02:52

Millennium Quartet

String Quartet No. 7, Op. 241 "Back Home"
20. I. Con carita 04:40
21. II. Andante 03:29
22. III. Vivace 03:03
23. IV. Con slancio 03:01

Moravian Quartet