NEW RELEASE: Brahms String Quartets (and Intermezzo)
The Alexander String Quartet completes a veritable Brahms compendium with this recording of the three string quartets, plus the newly re-recorded Intermezzo in A Major, Op. 118 No. 2 (transcribed for string quartet by Zakarias Grafilo), all illuminated by Eric Bromberger's liner notes. Read more or order from Naxos (FCL2022).RECENT: Brahms & Mozart — Clarinet Quintets
FoghornClassics presents electrifying clarinetist Eli Eban and the Alexander String Quartet on two masterpieces widely considered the preeminent works in their form: the clarinet quintets by Mozart and Brahms. From an early review:Mozart: “Eban’s variety of tone helps make the entire quintet sound wonderful...[and how the ASQ] manages to create a sound that is blended while still retaining an individuality of sound in each of the four voices is a miracle I have not yet figured out…”
Brahms: “Eban’s wonderfully nuanced clarinet playing brings a wealth of color to the proceedings, as does the Alexander Quartet’s sense of rhythm. In fact, the rhythmic elements of this work are brought off better than in any other recording I’ve heard, as is their penchant for nuance. In the first movement alone, the quintet creates an entire world of sound and feeling without ever overdoing it or trying to bring attention to themselves. This was a feature of their Brahms Piano Quintets with Joyce Yang, and they equal their playing in that recording here. […] In toto, this is clearly one of the Alexander Quartet’s finest releases.”
— Lynn René Bayley, Art Music Lounge (June 2020, FCL 2021 Brahms and Mozart — Clarinet Quintets)
Read more or order from Naxos (FCL2021).
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OTHER RECENT RELEASES:
Dvořák (Locale)
The Alexander String Quartet offers Dvorak's 'American' quartet (“…the ‘American’ quartet is clearly one of the finest ever recorded” — Lynn René Bayley, Art Music Lounge), and they are joined once again by remarkable pianist Joyce Yang for the Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81. Read more or order from Naxos (FCL2020).
Mahler Song Cycles (In meinem Himmel)
Alexander String Quartet and mezzo soprano Kindra Scharich: Three of Mahler’s beloved song cycles have been transcribed for string quartet and mezzo soprano by ASQ violinist Zakarias Grafilo (commissioned by LiederAlive!). For notes on the transcription, excerpted liner notes, and the complete list of songs, visit FoghornClassics or order from Naxos (FCL2019).
Mozart: The Piano Quartets (Apotheosis, vol. 2)
Alexander String Quartet members join with electrifying pianist Joyce Yang on this recording of Mozart's two piano quartets (part of a three-volume set which includes many of Mozart’s great chamber works from his last years). Read more or order from Naxos (FCL2018).
Mozart: The Final Quartets (Apotheosis, vol. 1)
Alexander String Quartet members join with electrifying pianist Joyce Yang on this recording of Mozart's two piano quartets (part of a three-volume set which will include many of Mozart’s great chamber works from his last years). Read more or order from Naxos (FCL2016).
UPDATE: SHOSTAKOVICH (vol. 1) DIGITALLY REMASTERED
The first volume of ASQ's recording of Shostakovich String Quartets has been digitally remastered: Fragments I is available at Naxos (FCL 1988).
"From the start of the Third Quartet it was immediately clear that the recording has been polished up quite nicely. The definition of the instruments in the stereo space is a little more finely etched, and as a result there seems to be more air around the players....With a more transparent piano sound, moments such as the big tutti at around 3:00 in the first movement also allow the strings more clarity….[I] would always recommend the Alexander Quartet for the fine character in their sound and their depth of expression, as well as the imaginative extras which make their set stand out from those that offer only the quartets. — Dominy Clements
ASQ — THE MOVIE!
The Documentary Film Institute at San Francisco State University has produced an elegant documentary: CON MOTO: THE ALEXANDER STRING QUARTET follows the group performing throughout Poland in 2015 as part of the Beethoven Easter Festival. The film reveals the storied tradition of chamber music and the collective voice that emerges through the unique personalities of these four world-class musicians. Part road movie, part music doc, part portrait film, Con Moto takes on the shape and rhythms of classical music as it races to keep up with these ever-thinking, ever-moving performers. Dates and venues for an international festival screening tour will be announced. VIEW ONLINE at FoghornClassics.com
Tales from the Road: (2015): It's hard to believe that we've been back from Poland long enough to have toured the East Coast. Nonetheless, we are still savoring the memories of our latest European adventure. If you're a Poland aficionado, or just curious, here's a link to the detailed recap of the ASQ's stellar experience in Poland (and that page has links to several mid-trip posts).
US Artists International: We are particularly happy and proud to have received very welcome support toward the Quartet’s travel from US Artists International (USAI), administered by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. US Artists International is made possible through support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
The Arts Desk "Best of 2014": Graham Rickson of The Arts Desk helped us end the year on a high note by including Brahms: The String Quintets & Sextets" (FCL 2012) on his list of the year's 10 best classical CDs. He wrote,
“Also hailing from San Francisco are the Alexander String Quartet, whose recent Bartok and Shostakovich cycles on the Foghorn Classics label wouldn’t disappoint anyone. They’re joined by violist Toby Appel and cellist David Requiro on a new set of Brahms’s String Quintets and Sextets. There’s no dryness, no heaviness, in readings which exude common sense, warmth and sanity. Impeccably judged tempi, immaculate dynamic control — these are performances to live with, and remind one that Brahms’s music needn’t sound grumpy.”
You can see the complete list of Rickson's 10 favorites here.
Beethoven Boxed Set: The complete Beethoven Cycle on Foghorn Classics is now available as a boxed set (FCL 2005), which includes all three volumes for a total of 9 CDs:
Volume 1 Early Quartets (FCL 1996, 3 CDs)
Volume 2 Middle Quartets (FCL 1999, 3 CDs)
Volume 3 Late Quartets (FCL 2002, 3 CDs)
Boxed set Early/Middle/Late (FCL 2005, 9 CDS)
These unique recordings feature the Ellen M. Egger Quartet of instruments, built by renowned San Francisco luthier, Francis Kuttner. The instruments are here recorded under optimal conditions by Judith Sherman (winner of numerous Grammys, including 2008 “Producer of the Year, Classical”) at the American Academy of Arts and Letters.