Search - Brodsky Quartet, Brubeck, Weill :: Chromatic Fantasy / String Quartet 2 / Concertino

One of my FAVORITE string quartets

havenesque | San Leandro, CA USA | 09/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a master work! It's amazing to me to think of Brubeck, as pivotal as he was in jazz, writing this amazing work for strings. I bought this album in Berkeley on a fluke...I was passing by, and actually the Brodsky Quartet is what caught my eye at first, since they contributed so magically to Elvis Costello's album, The Juliet Letters back in the early 90's. My viola instructor at the time commented how "tight" they were, how inventive. I was struck immediately by their firey tone. Back to Brubeck...this is a chromatic fantasy! Chromatic meaning in half-steps. Very taxing on the ears unless you are stimulant-ready...which I usually am. I tried contacting the publishing company on the liner notes immediately after my first listen through to see if Mr. Brubeck would give over the rights for another string quartet to work on this piece (my string quartet, of course!). Apparently, the Brodsky Quartet either commissioned the work, or Brubeck wrote it specifically for them...so no avail for me & my group. I still love this album though...for the musician, especially string quartet lovers, and or appreciators, this is the album for you. Plus it's got Stravinsky & Weill string ensembles on it...you can't go wrong!!"