Release Date: 31 May 2019
Label: Cobra
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 8713897904451
Genres: Classical  Chamber Music  
Release Date: 31 May 2019
Label: Cobra
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 8713897904451
Genres: Classical  Chamber Music  
Description
This CD traces the path the Ardemus Quartet has pursued over the last few years. For the Ardemus Quartet the works of Ligeti, Shostakovich, Glazunov, Debussy, Piazzolla, Biedenbender and Bach are milestones along that path. They remind the quartet of wonderful concerts and inspiring coaching sessions but also of efforts and challenges. The music on this CD made the Ardemus Quartet into the ensemble it is today and gave all four young musicians the opportunity to grow both as a group and as individuals. Even though they all come from different countries, they find a common language through these works.
The Ardemus Quartet presents various musical styles on this CD, original pieces as well as transcriptions. Each of the Six bagatelles by Gyorgy Ligeti presents a different musical idea and technical challenge, the piece fully showcases the possibilities of the ensemble. The Saxophone Quartet by Alexander Glazunov is the pillar of the classical saxophone repertoire and one of the first pieces written for this formation. The Two Pieces for String Quartet by Dmitri Shostakovich explore opposite emotions in two short movements. The dreamy Reverie by Claude Debussy brings all the colours of the saxophones to life, while frantic and groovy "You've Been Talking in Your Sleep" by young American composer David Biedenbender shows the "wild side" of the formation. One of the most performed pieces by Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla , "Oblivion", rounds up the CD and lets the listener get lost in the moment. The pieces are connected by chorales by Johann Sebastian Bach, which serve as a red thread throughout the CD.
The Ardemus Quartet was forged through a burning passion for chamber music (Ardemus lat.: we burn). The four young international musicians combine seamlessly to create a refreshing musical experience.
The quartet performs throughout the Netherlands and Europe and has been a guest artist at numerous festivals including the International Chamber Music Festival Utrecht (NL), Grachtenfestival Amsterdam (NL), Festival Next Generation Bad Ragaz (CH) and Osor Musical Evenings (CRO). Since its formation in Amsterdam (2014), the Ardemus Quartet has been successful in various national and international competitions and has performed in the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ Amsterdam, Lisinski Hall Zagreb, Izumi Hall Osaka and the Konzertaus Berlin. In 2018 the quartet toured throughout The Netherlands in all big concert halls as a finalist of the Dutch Classical Talent Award.
The ensemble has studied with Arno Bornkamp and Sven Arne Tepl at the Conservatory of Amsterdam and at the Netherlands String Quartet Academy with Marc Danel and Gilles Millet (Quatuor Danel).
Tracklisting
Shunske Sato & Shuann Chai
Folke Nauta, Lars Wouters van den Oudenweijer, Prisma String Trio
Shuann Chai
Pauline Oostenrijk; Enno Voorhorst
Folke Nauta, Lars Wouters van den Oudenweijer, Prisma String Trio
Enno Voorhorst
Musica Temprana
Izhar Elias
Biber Consort, Jakub Mitrik
Xenia Loffler
Trio Areal
Alina Ibragimova, Cedric Tiberghien
Engegard Quartet
Karolos
The Counterpoints
Narratio Quartet