This album traces the musical path the Ardemus Quartet has travelled over the last few years. For the Ardemus Quartet, the works of Ligeti, Shostakovich, Glazunov, Debussy, Piazzolla, Biedenbender and Bach are
milestones along that path, reminding the quartet of wonderful concerts and inspiring coach¬ing sessions but also of efforts and challenges.
The music on this CD made the Ardemus Quartet into the ensemble it is today and gave all four young musicians the opportunity to grow both as a group and as individuals. Even though they all come from different countries, they find a common language through these works.
The Ardemus Quartet presents various musical styles on this CD, original pieces as well as transcriptions. Each of the Six bagatelles by Gyorgy Ligeti presents a different musical idea and technical challenge, the piece fully showcases the possibilities of the ensemble. The Saxophone Quartet by Alexander Glazunov is the pillar of the classical saxophone repertoire and one of the first pieces written for this formation. The Two Pieces for String Quartet by Dmitri Shostakovich explore opposite emotions in two short movements. The dreamy Reverie by Claude Debussy brings all the colours of the saxophones to life, while frantic and groovy “You’ve Been Talking in Your Sleep” by young American composer David Biedenbender shows the “wild side” of the formation. One of the most performed pieces by Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla, “Oblivion”, rounds up the CD and lets the listener get lost in the moment. The pieces are connected by chorales by Johann Sebastian Bach, which serve as a red thread throughout the CD.
The Ardemus Quartet was forged through a burning passion for chamber music. The four young international musicians combine seamlessly to create a refreshing musical experience.
