Search - Edgar Meyer, Ned Rorem :: Meyer: Quintet; Rorem: String Quartet No. 4

Began a journey

Douglas S. Barron | New York | 02/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD as I had enjoyed another album by the Emerson String Quartet "Bach The Art of the Fugue." Although I am no musician I find their playing very clean and fresh -- lively. This CD played again with the same wonderful qualities. But in addition it introduced me to Edgar Meyer and Ned Rorem as composers. I love the Appalachian flavour in this music. I then discovered Edgar Myer team with the always expanding Yo-Yo Ma and now seek out Edgar Meyer more and more. I had owned this CD for about a year now and listen to it quiet often. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have. dsb"

American Music by American Masters

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 04/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Edgar Meyer may not be a name on the lips of many classical music fans, but it should be. This soft-spoken composer and soloist with the double bass has a unique voice that capture much of the flavor of the Copland/Whitman/Ives/Faulkner view of the American sound. He is an accomplished soloist of a difficult instrument and has written a rather large body of work that incorporates the instrument he knows thoroughly.



The Quintet on this recording is an especially fine example of his creativity. Scored for string quartet with double bass the piece is at once plangenty beautiful in melody and complexly interesting in harmony. The Emerson Quartet is joined by Meyer himself for this performance and together they make a true cause for the potential repertoire populariety of this work (it would make a fine accompaniment with the 'Trout Quintet' Schubert!).



The Quartet by Ned Rorem is often played but rarely as well as the Emerson Quartet performs it here. Rorem is better know for his vocal songs than his instrumental writings, but this survey of his Quartet No. 4 should stir imaginations to explore his other chamber works.



In all, this excellent recording is a ray of very bright light from two gifted composers, and hearing the Meyer will doubtless lead the listener to seek out his many recordings of his works, including the much lauded 'Appalachia Waltz' with Yo-Yo Ma! Highly recommended. Grady Harp, April 06"