Gavin Bryars - The Last Days (Balanescu Quartet) (1995)
Classical | EAC (APE, CUE & NO LOG) | 334 MB
Classical | EAC (APE, CUE & NO LOG) | 334 MB
This rendition of Gavin Bryars' String Quartets 1 and 2 and the seminal piece called The Last Days for two violins by the Balanescu Quartet is much more intense than the Arditti Quartet (ECM) with its grave overtones. Much like Messiaen's Quartets for the End of Time without the spiritual garbage, listeners should find Bryars' music inviting.
- Tracklist
String Quartet No. 1 ("Between The National And The Bristol") (21:54)
Die Letzten Tage ("The Last Days")
Prelude (The Roman Ending) (4:08)
I The Venetian Beginning (5:42)
Intermezzo I (4:17)
Intermezzo II (4:06)
II The Corinthian Middle (8:27)
String Quartet No. 2 (23:46)
Balanescu Quartet
Alexander Balanescu, violin
Clare Connors, violin
Andrew Parker, viola
Sîan Bell, cello
"String Quartet No. 1", composed in 1985, was commissioned by the Vienna Festival for the Arditti Quartet. Dedicated to Hazel Davies.
"Die Letzten Tage" was composed in 1992 for Alexander Balanescu and Clare Connors for the opening of the exhibition The Last Days in Seville 1992.
"String Quartet No. 2", composed 1990, was commissioned by the Huddersfield Festival and the Balanescu Quartet.