Paris Bar - Françaix Tansman Lajtha Notos Quartett

• Jean Françaix (1912 - 1997): Divertissement:
• 1 Françaix: Divertissement: I. Allegretto giocoso 05:58
• 2 Françaix: Divertissement: II. Scherzo. Vivo 04:29
• 3 Françaix: Divertissement: III. Andante. Lento 03:49
• 4 Françaix: Divertissement: IV. Finale. Prestissimo 06:50
• Alexandre Tansman (1897 - 1986): Suite-Divertissement:
• 5 Tansman: Suite-Divertissement: I. Introduction et Marche. Allegro risoluto ben ritmato - Meno mosso Tempo di marcia 03:56
• 6 Tansman: Suite-Divertissement: II. Sarabande. Lento 03:16
• 7 Tansman: Suite-Divertissement: III. Scherzino. (Polka). Allegretto grazioso 01:28
• 8 Tansman: Suite-Divertissement: IV. Mélodie. Modéré 01:59
• 9 Tansman: Suite-Divertissement: V. Nocturne. Largo 05:07
• 10 Tansman: Suite-Divertissement: VI. Finale. Molto vivace 03:37
• Laszlo Lajtha (1892 - 1963): Piano Quartet, Op. 6:
• 11 Lajtha: Piano Quartet, Op. 6: I. Andante 07:26
• 12 Lajtha: Piano Quartet, Op. 6: II. Allegro 14:09
• 13 Lajtha: Piano Quartet, Op. 6: III. Moderato molto - Poco più mosso - Poco Allegro - Allegro - Allegro vivace - Molto moderato 11:54
• Total Runtime 01:13:58

Info for Paris Bar - Françaix Tansman Lajtha

"Paris Bar" is the name of the new album by the highly acclaimed Notos Quartet from Berlin. And again the ensemble impresses with unusual repertoire, for "Paris Bar" they chose piano quartets of the 20s and 30s by Jean Françaix and Alexandre Tansman. And on "Paris Bar" there is even a world premiere recording - a work by the Hungarian composer Laslo Lajtha.

Paris developed into an international cultural hotspot at the beginning of the 20th century. Artists from all over the world flocked to the French capital during the so-called "Années folles," the crazy 1920s, taking in the exuberant atmosphere in the bars and cafés and inspiring each other to produce creative works. The three composers Jean Françaix, Alexandre Tansman and Laslo Lajtha were also infected by this sparkling atmosphere, which the Notos Quartet selected for this recording, a co-production of Sony Classical with Deutschlandradio Berlin. Jean Francaix's 1933 "Divertissement" is a true discovery, as there is only one recording of this work to date.

The wit and charm typical of Françaix's music characterize the four-movement work, which reveals the composer's melancholy side as well as cheerfulness. The title "Divertissement" (French for "entertainment") underscores the desire of society at the time to be amused in order to be able to block out the misery and anguish of the First World War it had just experienced. The second work on this album, the "Suite-Divertissement" by Polish-born Alexandre Tansman also reflects this longing.

One of the most sought-after composers of his time, his "Suite-Divertissement" combines French esprit with Polish folk music, playing with baroque forms as well as traditional rhythms of his homeland. With the world premiere recording of Laslo Lajtha's Piano Quartet op. 6, the Notos Quartet pays tribute to one of the most important Hungarian composers.

Notos Quartett

The Notos Quartett
is regarded as one of the "outstanding chamber music formations of our time“ (Fono Forum 9/2017). Besides this piano quartet’s "virtuosic brilliance and technical perfection“ audiences and critics worldwide celebrate the Notos Quartett for its "sense of balance and ensemble playing revealing every detail of the composition“ and praise the musicians for their "profound musicality that goes straight to the heart“.

Since its foundation in 2007 the Notos Quartett has won six first prizes as well as numerous special prizes at international competitions in England, Holland, Italy and China. Above that in 2017 the quartet was awarded the ECHO Klassik as newcomer of the year, at the time a prestigious prize that in its history had only been given to ensembles on the rarest of occasions. As a reaction to the ECHO Pop committee’s decision in 2018 to honour an album containing antisemitic and inhumane language the musicians of the Notos Quartett were the first artists to return their ECHO. This triggered a protest movement that many renowned artists such as Igor Levit and Daniel Barenboim followed by returning their prizes. Subsequently the German music industry decided to abolish the brand ECHO completely.

The upcoming season includes concert tours to Australia, South Africa and Hong Kong as well as performances at concert halls such as the Konzerthaus Vienna, Tonhalle St. Gallen and Bruckner House Linz. Furthermore the ensemble will be premiering works dedicated to the Notos Quartett by Beat Furrer, Judit Varga and Bernhard Gander.

The Notos Quartett’s vision is to perform the well-known masterpieces, to reveal lost and forgotten treasures, and to champion the new compositions for the unique genre of the piano quartet. This is evident on the ensemble’s debut album „Hungarian Treasures“ released by Sony Classical/RCA in February of 2017. It includes the world premiere recording of Béla Bartók’s piano quartet, a rediscovery for which the ensemble receives international acclaim.

Numerous broadcasts of concerts, interviews and portraits on all major German cultural radio stations, German TV as well as the BBC, France Musique, Radio4 Holland, P2 Sweden, IPR USA and Radio and TV stations in Japan and Vietnam document the world-wide interest in the Notos Quartet and its extraordinary concert programmes.

In addition to appearances at major festivals and leading concert halls throughout Europe such as the Wigmore Hall London, Philharmonie Berlin, Konzerthaus Vienna, Wigmore Hall London, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, BOZAR Brussels, Tonhalle Zurich and Teatro la Fenice Venice as well as major festivals including Rheingau, Schwetzingen, Würzburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Usedom and Radio France the Notos Quartet regularly visits such exotic locations as Japan, China, Russia and Southeast Asia.

Besides its concert activities the Notos Quartett regards promoting the careers of young musicians as an important part of its work. Thus the ensemble has taught at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, lead the "Saigon Chamber Music“ Masterclass in Saigon in Vietnam and since autumn of 2015 holds the "Notos Chamber Music Academy“, which as of this year will be hosted by Jeunesses Musicales, the most prestigious institution for musical education in Germany.

The Alban Berg Quartet, Mandelring Quartet as well as Uwe-Martin Haiberg, Clemens Hagen, Menahem Pressler and András Schiff count amongst the quartet's mentors, teachers and supporters.

The support of the „Merito String Instruments Trust“ enables the Notos Quartett to play on highly prestigious instruments by old Italian masters and as Pirastro Artists exclusively on strings by the renowned string manufacturer „Pirastro GmbH“.

Booklet for Paris Bar - Françaix Tansman Lajtha