In the South Brodsky Quartet

• Hugo Wolf (1860 - 1903):
• 1 Wolf: Italienische Serenade 07:01
• Giacomo Puccini (1858 - 1924):
• 2 Puccini: Crisantemi 07:23
• Giuseppe Verdi (1813 - 1901): Quartetto:
• 3 Verdi: Quartetto: I. Allegro 07:45
• 4 Verdi: Quartetto: II. Andantino 08:22
• 5 Verdi: Quartetto: III. Prestissimo 02:55
• 6 Verdi: Quartetto: IV. Scherzo 04:42
• Joaquin Turina (1882 - 1949):
• 7 Turina: La oracion del torero, Op. 34 08:42
• Ástor Piazzolla (1921 - 1992):
• 8 Piazzolla: Four, for Tango 06:46
• Niccolò Paganini (1782 - 1840): 24 Capricci, Op. 1:
• 9 Paganini: 24 Capricci, Op. 1: No. 6 in G Minor. Lento 06:59
• 10 Paganini: 24 Capricci, Op. 1: No. 24 in G Minor. Tema Quasi Presto - 11 Variations - Finale 05:28
• Total Runtime 01:06:03

Info for In the South

The Brodsky Quartet here turns to the sunshine, bright colours, and deep-set passions of the South, performing Latin-inspired music for string quartet by composers who all possessed a strong connection to the ‘South’, whether it was the Mediterranean or South America.

Paganini’s Capricci Nos 6 and 24 need no introduction. They are among the most published and reviewed virtuoso pieces ever composed, and have been frequently arranged over the last two hundred years, with each new reading allowing us to discover Paganini’s art afresh. This version has been arranged by the violinist Paul Cassidy, a long-standing member of the Brodsky Quartet.

We have the chance to hear chamber works by two further Italian composers, who would always be known primarily for their massive achievements in opera. In fact, the sad melodies of Puccini’s Crisantemi would later be used in the tragic fourth act of the opera Manon Lescaut. The Quartetto in E minor was the only string quartet Verdi ever wrote, and he himself insisted on presenting it as a mere trifle, stating that it was composed ‘in idle moments’ before the premiere of Aida. This Quartet divided opinion. Whereas some reviewers recognised the technical difficulties of the work, others thought Verdi’s Italian temperament inappropriate to instrumental music.

The inspiration to La oración del torero (The Toreador’s Prayer) came to Turina during a Spanish bullfight, during which he watched as a bullfighter received the prayerful Sacrament of Holy Unction, while all around a feverish excitement over the forthcoming fight was overtaking the crowd. The work itself displays elements of French impressionism, combined with strong evocations from the Spanish bullfighting arena.

Four, for Tango, written in 1988 for the Kronos Quartet, is a prime example of Piazzolla’s own style of ‘Nuevo Tango’; this new form of tango became popular around the world, and was generated from combining Argentine folklore with so-called ‘art music’. Also on this disc is Hugo Wolf’s ‘Italian’ Serenade, a work equally full of captivating rhythms, harmonic warmth, and dancing themes.

"this is an enjoyable disc of off-the-beaten-track music for string quartet...The Brodsky Quartet clearly relish the chance to do something less heavyweight than their usual repertoire" (BBC Music Magazine)

"Not unexpectedly, the performances by the Brodsky Quartet are full of spontaneously imaginative insights and equal to all the diverse demands of these six composers." (Gramophone Magazine)

"[in the Turina] vibrant Iberian colours make an unalloyed delight of the Brodsky's playing...[Rowland] leads a performance [of the Verdi] that stings with the shock of extreme dynamic contrasts and thrills with moments of rhythmic exactness...this is a very refreshing collection." (International Record Review)

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 In the South