The Leonkoro Quartet's new album is a thrilling exploration of Viennese modernism, delving into the works of Alban Berg, Anton Webern, and Erwin Schulhoff. This trio of composers represents the avant-garde spirit of early 20th-century Vienna, where experimentation and innovation reigned supreme.
The quartet dives headfirst into Berg's Lyric Suite, a passionate and intricate work that showcases the ensemble's technical prowess. The Andante Amoroso is a breathtakingly beautiful movement, with the strings singing in tender unison, while the Allegro Misterioso navigates a delicate balance of tension and release. The Presto Delirando is an unbridled tour-de-force, its complex rhythms and textures evoking a sense of frenetic energy.
In contrast, Webern's Five Pieces from 1909 represent a more radical departure from traditional tonality. This pioneering work in atonal music is imbued with a profound sense of emotion and expressiveness, as the quartet unlocks the hidden depths of these intricate compositions. From the melancholy Langsamer Satz to the bold, angular textures of the other pieces, this performance is nothing short of breathtaking.
After navigating the intense world of Berg and Webern, the quartet takes a brief respite with Erwin Schulhoff's Five Pieces – a suite that embodies the composer's irreverent spirit. This eclectic work veers from waltz to tango, showcasing Schulhoff's remarkable ability to blend disparate styles into a cohesive whole. The playing is once again top-notch, capturing the whimsical and offbeat nature of these pieces with impeccable nuance.
Throughout this album, the Leonkoro Quartet demonstrates a remarkable level of musicianship, technical skill, and interpretive depth. Their performances are not merely faithful renderings of the composers' scores but rather passionate explorations that breathe new life into these modernist classics.
The quartet dives headfirst into Berg's Lyric Suite, a passionate and intricate work that showcases the ensemble's technical prowess. The Andante Amoroso is a breathtakingly beautiful movement, with the strings singing in tender unison, while the Allegro Misterioso navigates a delicate balance of tension and release. The Presto Delirando is an unbridled tour-de-force, its complex rhythms and textures evoking a sense of frenetic energy.
In contrast, Webern's Five Pieces from 1909 represent a more radical departure from traditional tonality. This pioneering work in atonal music is imbued with a profound sense of emotion and expressiveness, as the quartet unlocks the hidden depths of these intricate compositions. From the melancholy Langsamer Satz to the bold, angular textures of the other pieces, this performance is nothing short of breathtaking.
After navigating the intense world of Berg and Webern, the quartet takes a brief respite with Erwin Schulhoff's Five Pieces – a suite that embodies the composer's irreverent spirit. This eclectic work veers from waltz to tango, showcasing Schulhoff's remarkable ability to blend disparate styles into a cohesive whole. The playing is once again top-notch, capturing the whimsical and offbeat nature of these pieces with impeccable nuance.
Throughout this album, the Leonkoro Quartet demonstrates a remarkable level of musicianship, technical skill, and interpretive depth. Their performances are not merely faithful renderings of the composers' scores but rather passionate explorations that breathe new life into these modernist classics.