This album is the debut CD for both the Helikon Quartet and composer Maarten ter Horst.
The CD features String Quartet 1 & String Quartet 2: two completely new works of which the first notes were written in 2017 and the last notes during the spring lockdown in 2020. The works convey a wide range of emotions: String Quartet 1 is a musical journey from frustration to courage, and String Quartet 2 is a work about love, memories and dreams. The music uses a timeless, melodic language, a surprising new perspective on the classical string quartet tradition.
To Maarten ter Horst, the string quartet is the ultimate ensemble: instruments that are different yet equal, representing a tradition of music that truly challenges both composer and instrumentalist. For Maarten ter Horst composing music is an effective way of channelling and sharing emotions. He starts from recognizable melodies and writes parts that reinforce each other in a quest in which dreams and desires want to be reconciled with reality.
The Helikon Quartet is an adventurous and versatile string quartet. Formed in 2015, the quartet consists of 4 women in the starting blocks of their careers, working together towards one common goal: creating musical purity. Programming new music is an important way to let the voice of the present be heard, as they see contemporary music as a reflection of our society. The Helikon Quartet received the Kersjesfonds String Quartet Stipendium in 2020. The members have positions in a.o. the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra.
Introspect: A true collaboration In 2020, Ter Horst approached the Helikon Quartet to have a look at his music, and according to the quartet, "his music speaks for itself, we couldn't help but fall in love with it". Ter Horst was their direct source of inspiration, accompanying them in exploring their possibilities and imagination. His journey of love, doubt, fighting and hope is inspiring to them and will be, they believe, to many others.
