Haydn Opus 77/1, Nordheim Duplex and Bartok's Fifth Quartet
The combination of Haydn Opus 77/1, Nordheim's Duplex and Bartók's Fifth String Quartet, was an irresistible challenge for us. A choice of programme from our hearts. We aim for our recordings to be like our concerts, with balance throughout the programme and a feeling of having fulfilled a journey at the end. It is also imperative for us to have a close relationship with the works we record. Our primarius, Arvid, has a special connection with both Bartók's Fifth Quartet through his mentor Sándor Végh, and with Duplex because of his contact with Arne Nordheim. The great quartets of Joseph Haydn are an ongoing project, and the joyful opening of Opus 77/1 sweeps the listener headlong into our third programme with 2L.
● Read more, listen, buy...
The combination of Haydn Opus 77/1, Nordheim's Duplex and Bartók's Fifth String Quartet, was an irresistible challenge for us. A choice of programme from our hearts. We aim for our recordings to be like our concerts, with balance throughout the programme and a feeling of having fulfilled a journey at the end. It is also imperative for us to have a close relationship with the works we record. Our primarius, Arvid, has a special connection with both Bartók's Fifth Quartet through his mentor Sándor Végh, and with Duplex because of his contact with Arne Nordheim. The great quartets of Joseph Haydn are an ongoing project, and the joyful opening of Opus 77/1 sweeps the listener headlong into our third programme with 2L.
● Read more, listen, buy...
Haydn Opus 76/5, Solberg, Grieg G minor
The Engegård Quartet made their first appearance at the 2006 Lofoten International Music Festival. Inspired by the midnight sun, their musical landscape ranges from glowing core energy to the gentle lyrical sound of Norwegian nature. Edvard Grieg and Leif Solberg are natural choices for this Scandinavian quartet, complimented by the music of Joseph Haydn reflected in a Nordic atmosphere. The strong musical nerve is emphasized by an intense sound production by Lindberg Lyd.
● Read more, listen, buy...
The Engegård Quartet made their first appearance at the 2006 Lofoten International Music Festival. Inspired by the midnight sun, their musical landscape ranges from glowing core energy to the gentle lyrical sound of Norwegian nature. Edvard Grieg and Leif Solberg are natural choices for this Scandinavian quartet, complimented by the music of Joseph Haydn reflected in a Nordic atmosphere. The strong musical nerve is emphasized by an intense sound production by Lindberg Lyd.
● Read more, listen, buy...
Beethoven Opus 74, Nordheim 1956 Quartet, Bartok 3
The monumental creativity which Beethoven, Haydn and Bartók gave to the genre of the string quartet is our greatest inspiration. In the Harp we find Beethoven at his most entertaining and least problematic, although slightly provocative in the almost forced gentleness of the final movement. We chose to record the String Quartet 1956 including its incredibly atmospheric final Largo in honour of one of Norway's greatest composer, Arne Nordheim. The intensity and individuality of Bartók's 3rd Quartet make it a natural conclusion for us, juxtaposing the most intimate and lonely music with hard-hitting rhythmic sections which only Bartók could bring off.
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The monumental creativity which Beethoven, Haydn and Bartók gave to the genre of the string quartet is our greatest inspiration. In the Harp we find Beethoven at his most entertaining and least problematic, although slightly provocative in the almost forced gentleness of the final movement. We chose to record the String Quartet 1956 including its incredibly atmospheric final Largo in honour of one of Norway's greatest composer, Arne Nordheim. The intensity and individuality of Bartók's 3rd Quartet make it a natural conclusion for us, juxtaposing the most intimate and lonely music with hard-hitting rhythmic sections which only Bartók could bring off.
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CATHARINUS ELLING: String Quartet in D Major · String Quartet in A Minor · Piano Quartet in G Minor World Premiere Recording The Engegård Quartet · Nils Anders Mortensen, piano PSC1304
The quartets of Catharinus Elling (1858-1942) are written in a full-bodied German romantic idiom. When performed by the Engegård Quartet, sparks are flying. Grieg was the key to Elling's career. Thanks to a letter of recommendation from him, Elling
travelled to Berlin in 1886 to audition for Herzogenberg's masterclass at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin. Elling's letters to Grieg reveal a fairly conservative outlook with Mozart and Beethoven as his prime models, while more modern music by Bruckner and Wagner was hardly
to his taste.
Traditional
Elling's compositional style never departed from a romantic musical idiom. His ideals are borrowed from the German school as it is manifested in the music of Schubert via Mendelssohn and Schumann to Brahms. His output covers works for orchestra, chamber music, some 200
songs and many choral pieces, piano pieces and the opera Taras Bulba. He never dated his compositions, nor mentioned them in letters, but based on reviews of performances there is good reason to suppose that the works on this recording were all composed between 1890 and
1905.
Wow!
The opening of Elling's Piano Quartet in G minor is without doubt the most compelling contribution of all to Norwegian music history. The broad gestures within the strong framework, the colour palette of the instrumentation, the sparkle in the virtuoso piano part. Quickly
checking the title page again; no it does not say Brahms or Mendelssohn - it actually says Catharinus Elling from Oslo!
The Engegård Quartet
A rediscovery such as this one is of course brought forward by performers of the highest quality. The Engegård Quartet has been highly praised for their recordings and concerts. Lead by Arvid Engegård - former leader of Camerata Salzburg under the direction of Sandór Végh
and primarius of the Orlando Quartet - the uplifted spirit of their performance is indeed a blessing. 2011 opens a new chapter for the Engegård Quartet with Adrian Brendel as their new cellist.
● Listen and buy...
The quartets of Catharinus Elling (1858-1942) are written in a full-bodied German romantic idiom. When performed by the Engegård Quartet, sparks are flying. Grieg was the key to Elling's career. Thanks to a letter of recommendation from him, Elling
travelled to Berlin in 1886 to audition for Herzogenberg's masterclass at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin. Elling's letters to Grieg reveal a fairly conservative outlook with Mozart and Beethoven as his prime models, while more modern music by Bruckner and Wagner was hardly
to his taste.
Traditional
Elling's compositional style never departed from a romantic musical idiom. His ideals are borrowed from the German school as it is manifested in the music of Schubert via Mendelssohn and Schumann to Brahms. His output covers works for orchestra, chamber music, some 200
songs and many choral pieces, piano pieces and the opera Taras Bulba. He never dated his compositions, nor mentioned them in letters, but based on reviews of performances there is good reason to suppose that the works on this recording were all composed between 1890 and
1905.
Wow!
The opening of Elling's Piano Quartet in G minor is without doubt the most compelling contribution of all to Norwegian music history. The broad gestures within the strong framework, the colour palette of the instrumentation, the sparkle in the virtuoso piano part. Quickly
checking the title page again; no it does not say Brahms or Mendelssohn - it actually says Catharinus Elling from Oslo!
The Engegård Quartet
A rediscovery such as this one is of course brought forward by performers of the highest quality. The Engegård Quartet has been highly praised for their recordings and concerts. Lead by Arvid Engegård - former leader of Camerata Salzburg under the direction of Sandór Végh
and primarius of the Orlando Quartet - the uplifted spirit of their performance is indeed a blessing. 2011 opens a new chapter for the Engegård Quartet with Adrian Brendel as their new cellist.
● Listen and buy...