Juilliard String Quartet, Beethoven – Davidovsky – Bartók Review
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Our great American society is all about brand recognition, from our soft drinks to our clothing and even people’s names. At the core of establishing a brand is equating a name that is synonymous with an experience and emotions. In the world of classical music, The Juilliard School in New York, has established its name to signify their outstanding quality as a leader in the arts of dance, drama and especially, music. The Juilliard String Quartet is a classical music string quartet founded in 1946 at the Juilliard School in New York by William Schuman. With a name that carries an iconic brand name of Julliard, the standard is high and for eight decades the quartet has been exceeding expectations and has positioned themselves as being one of the most important American string quartets. The Juilliard String Quartet consists of: Areta Zhulla and Ronald Copes (violins), Roger Tapping (viola), and Astrid Schween (cello). The quartet is releasing a new recording titled, Beethoven – Davidovsky – Bartók. The new album features Beethoven’s Quartet Op. 95, (“Serioso”), Bartók’s String Quartet No. 1. and the world premiere recording of Mario Davidovksy’s Fragments, String Quartet No. 6.
Positives:
The quartet has won four Grammy Awards - including a 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award, a unique achievement by a chamber ensemble. Linking the masterpieces of Beethoven and Bartók with vital new music is an essential part of the Juilliard String Quartet's identity. The inclusion of Pulitzer Prize winning composer Mario Davidovsky’s composition is stimulating and adds to the recording and the legacy of the quartet, both the group and the literature.
Bottom Line:
The material is a perfect balance of adventure, deep traditions, technical excellence and the familiar with the daring. The quartet brings lots of energy and drive with perceptive colorizations that illuminate the well-known Beethoven's Quartet Op. 95, ("Serioso"). Their balance and phrasing are astonishing. Bartók's String Quartet No. 1 is presented with clarity of sound and structures with attention to the rhythmic details that drive the composition. The result is an engaging experience that is musical as it expands the cannon of the recorded versions of the piece. “Fragments, String Quartet No. 6.” Intensity and a wide-ranging color pallet is beautifully placed in the center, which results in a wonderful flow of the album. Of course, the performance is flawless, allowing the listener to comprehend and enjoy the different and daring sounds coming from the imaginative Davidovsky’s composition. For eight decades the Juilliard String Quartet has established a name that signifies excellence, brilliantly fervent performances through a catalog that is bringing in new music and re-imagining the classics. Beethoven - Davidovsky – Bartók continues the tradition with depth, BRAVO! That’s the short of it!