CD ECM Records Rosamunde Quartett - Tigran Mansurian: String Quartets

2005

Rosamunde Quartett:

Andreas Reiner - vioara
Simon Fordham - vioara
Helmut Nicolai - viola
Anja Lechner - violoncel


Tigran Mansurian :

String Quartett No. 1 - In Memory Of David Chandschian
String Quartett No. 2 - In Memory Of Eduard Chagagortzian
Testament - Dedicated To Manfred Eicher

Both the first and second string quartets by the Lebanese-born Armenian composer Tigran Mansurian are predominantly slow and mournful pieces, each completed in 1984 and written in memory of a recently dead friend. The language is direct, but Mansurian is not of any formulaic minimalist school. Rather, his structures are built on a richness of harmony and melodic expression that allies him to late Beethoven. Both works – each cast in three movements – and the eloquent and dark single movement Testament … are played with miraculously sustained poise by the Rosamunde Quartet.
Stephen Pettitt, Sunday Times

Both string quartets are beautiful, profoundly moving pieces of great consolatory power and expressive strength, albeit in discreet and introspective. However, for all its apparent simplicity, Mansurian’s music cannot be compared with what is now often referred to as Holy Minimalism… Because of its predominantly melodic character, Mansurian is more linear and more coherent from a stylistic point of view. … These splendid performances were recorded under the composer’s supervision and have a strong ring of authenticity. They are not likely to be superseded anytime soon.
Hubert Culot, Music Web