Zemlinsky: Complete String Quartets Brodsky Quartet

• Alexander von Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942): String Quartet No. 1 in A Major, Op. 4:
• 1Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 1 in A Major, Op. 4: I. Allegro con fuoco10:50
• 2Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 1 in A Major, Op. 4: II. Allegretto05:01
• 3Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 1 in A Major, Op. 4: III. Breit und kräftig07:21
• 4Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 1 in A Major, Op. 4: IV. Vivace e con fuoco07:25
• String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15:
• 5Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: I. Sehr mäßig (quasi Andante)06:45
• 6Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: II. Andante mosso04:00
• 7Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: III. Adagio09:01
• 8Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: IV. Schnell (die Achtel)04:18
• 9Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: V. Im selben Tempo, doch sehr ruhig04:50
• 10Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: VI. Mit energischer Entschlossenheit (Allegro moderato)03:21
• 11Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: VII. Tempo I (molto Allegro)05:45
• 12Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: VIII. Andante (Etwas fließender, als vorher)05:03
• String Quartet No. 3, Op. 19:
• 13Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 3, Op. 19: I. Allegretto. Gemächlich, innig bewegt08:02
• 14Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 3, Op. 19: II. Thema mit Variationen05:54
• 15Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 3, Op. 19: III. Romanze. Sehr mäßige Achtel (Andante sostenuto)05:56
• 16Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 3, Op. 19: IV. Burleske. Sehr lebhaft (Allegro moderato)05:41
• String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25:
• 17Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25: I. Präludium. Poco Adagio05:15
• 18Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25: II. Burleske. Vivace04:54
• 19Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25: III. Adagietto. Adagio03:58
• 20Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25: IV. Intermezzo. Allegretto04:22
• 21Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25: V. Barcorale (Thema mit Variationen). Poco adagio05:18
• 22Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25: VI. Finale. Doppelfuge. Allegro molto03:22
• String Quartet in E Minor:
• 23Zemlinsky: String Quartet in E Minor: I. Allegro moderato09:36
• 24Zemlinsky: String Quartet in E Minor: II. Scherzo. Allegro scherzando03:41
• 25Zemlinsky: String Quartet in E Minor: III. Andante06:40
• 26Zemlinsky: String Quartet in E Minor: IV. Allegro con brio05:27
• Total Runtime02:31:46

Info for Zemlinsky: Complete String Quartets

In this recording of the complete String Quartets by Zemlinsky, which includes a premiere recording, the Brodsky Quartet gives fresh life to the composer’s works, ‘with a spirit so transformational you felt they were actually improving the world’, as reported by The Strad after a recent concert performance.

The four string quartets which Zemlinsky published represent a journey through his musical thought. It starts with the Brahmsian, youthful Quartet in A major, Op. 4 which is generously proportioned and less earnest in mood than some earlier works. Then the Second Quartet, Op. 15 echoes the composer’s years of emotional crisis. The booklet essay explains the symbolism which Zemlinsky deployed in the score, evoking the compromising relationship between his sister Mathilde and his friend Schoenberg, as well as his own disillusioned love affair with Alma Schindler. Contrastingly, the Third Quartet, Op. 19 appears to be a sarcastic protest against modernism, in which Zemlinsky exploits a minimum of material to maximum effect, the entire fabric evolving from the intervals and rhythms of the opening theme. Having been blacklisted by the Nazi campaign against ‘degenerate’ art, the Fourth Quartet, Op. 25 achieved its first public performance in 1967, thirty years after its composition. It deploys a wealth of thematic ideas in a process of continual variation and metamorphosis that follows the outlines of sonata form.

The String Quartet in E minor failed to pass its trial at the Viennese Tonkünstlerverein when it was first presented in 1893. It was not published until 1997 and appears here on disc for the first time. The opening movement spins a sophisticated net of motivic relationships, harmonic ambiguities, and metrical irregularities. From the simplicity and melodic charm of the Andante and scherzo to the energetic and inventive finale, the quartet is a remarkable legacy of Zemlinsky’s early command of string texture.

“… I was impressed by the Brodskys’ forthright and uncompromising approach to the dark and desolate Fourth, dedicated to the memory of Alban Berg. Their version of the Third is also illuminating, presenting the first movement in a much more highly wrought Romantic manner than does other accounts…” (Erik Levi, BBC Music)

"... The Brodskys do passionate justice to the four published quartets, composed between 1896 and 1936. They also offer a welcome premiere recording of the meaty E minor quartet." (Stephen Pettitt, The Sunday Times)

Brodsky Quartet

Brodsky Quartet Since its formation in 1972, the Brodsky Quartet has performed over 3000 concerts on the major stages of the world and has released more than 60 recordings. A natural curiosity and an insatiable desire to explore has propelled the group in a number of artistic directions and continues to ensure them not only a prominent presence on the international chamber music scene, but also a rich and varied musical existence. Their energy and craftsmanship has attracted numerous awards and accolades worldwide, while ongoing educational work provides a vehicle for passing on experience and staying in touch with the next generation.

Throughout their 40-year career, the Brodsky Quartet has performed at many of the UK's major festivals and venues, and is regularly recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio. The Quartet also has a busy international performing schedule, and has toured extensively throughout Australasia, North and South America, South Africa, and Europe. Over the years the Brodsky Quartet has, on numerous occasions, performed complete cycles of the quartets of Schubert, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Britten, Schoenberg, Zemlinsky, Webern and Bartok. They are perhaps best known, however, for their performances of the Shostakovich Quartets and therefore chose 2012, the year of their 40th anniversary, to revisit the repertoire and perform the cycle worldwide.

The Brodsky Quartet also has a busy recording career, and last season marked the beginning of a new and exclusive relationship with Chandos Records. The Quartet's first disc for the label, Petits Fours, was released in February 2012 and is a celebratory album of ‘Encore’ pieces, arranged exclusively by the Quartet for their 40th anniversary. In April 2012, Chandos released the Quartet's long-awaited recording of the great Debussy Quartet alongside Deux Danses arranged for harp and string quintet. This new collaboration with Chandos will help add to their already huge and diverse discography. Recent awards for recordings include the Diapason D'Or and the CHOC du Monde de la Musique for their recordings of string quartets by Britten, Beethoven and Janacek, and, for their outstanding contribution to innovation in programming, the Brodsky Quartet has received a Royal Philharmonic Society Award. They have taught at many international chamber music courses and held residencies in several music institutes, including the first such post at the University of Cambridge. They are currently International Fellows of Chamber Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and have been awarded Honorary Doctorates at the University of Kent and University of Teesside.

Booklet for Zemlinsky: Complete String Quartets