Diffusion The Verona Quartet

• Leoš Janáček (1854 - 1928): String Quartet No. 2, JW VIII/13 "Intimate Letters":
• 1 Janáček: String Quartet No. 2, JW VIII/13 "Intimate Letters": I. Andante 05:58
• 2 Janáček: String Quartet No. 2, JW VIII/13 "Intimate Letters": II. Adagio 05:53
• 3 Janáček: String Quartet No. 2, JW VIII/13 "Intimate Letters": III. Moderato 05:25
• 4 Janáček: String Quartet No. 2, JW VIII/13 "Intimate Letters": IV. Allegro 08:05
• Karol Szymanowski (1882 - 1937): String Quartet No. 2, Op. 56:
• 5 Szymanowski: String Quartet No. 2, Op. 56: I. Moderato dolce e tranquillo 07:19
• 6 Szymanowski: String Quartet No. 2, Op. 56: II. Vivace, scherzando 04:56
• 7 Szymanowski: String Quartet No. 2, Op. 56: III. Lento 05:33
• Maurice Ravel (1875 - 1937): String Quartet in F Major, M. 35:
• 8 Ravel: String Quartet in F Major, M. 35: I. Allegro moderato. Très doux 07:58
• 9 Ravel: String Quartet in F Major, M. 35: II. Assez vif. Très rythmé 06:10
• 10 Ravel: String Quartet in F Major, M. 35: III. Très lent 08:33
• 11 Ravel: String Quartet in F Major, M. 35: IV. Vif et agité 04:52
• Total Runtime 01:10:42

Info for Diffusion

Through the intimate voice of the string quartet, Diffusion explores a mosaic of folk cultures through the lens Janáček's String Quartet No. 2 "Intimate Letters," Szymanowski's String Quartet No. 2 Op. 56, and Ravel's String Quartet in F Major M. 35. As an ensemble of four nations (Singapore, Canada, United States, and United Kingdom), the Verona Quartet reveals a kaleidoscopic snapshot of cultural migration at the turn of the century.

The Verona Quartet explains, "As a quartet of musicians hailing from across the world, we knew we wanted our first album to reflect the essence of the cultural migration that is such a big part of our identity. Through Diffusion, we celebrate the spirit of intercultural exploration that permeates many of the great works of the string quartet canon. This music and the weaving together of global traditions is incredibly meaningful to us and we hope that listeners will love it too."

The Verona Quartet is one of the most sought after string quartets of its generation, delighting audiences at venues worldwide such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Wigmore Hall and Melbourne Recital Hall, in addition to appearances at La Jolla Summerfest, Chamber Music Northwest, Bravo! Vail and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The group’s 2019-2020 season includes tours across North America, Asia and South America; upcoming highlights include performances at The Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, Celebrity Series of Boston, Cliburn Concerts’ Beethoven@250 festival, Lunenberg Academy of Music Performance, and Schneider Concert Series.

The Verona Quartet

The Verona Quartet
Acclaimed for its “bold interpretive strength, robust characterization and commanding resonance” (Calgary Herald), the Verona Quartet has firmly established itself amongst the most distinguished ensembles on the chamber music scene today. The group’s singular sense of purpose most recently earned them Chamber Music America’s coveted 2020 Cleveland Quartet Award, and a reputation as an “outstanding ensemble… cohesive yet full of temperament” (The New York Times). The Quartet serves on the faculty of the Oberlin College and Conservatory as the Quartet-in-Residence, in addition to holding residences at the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance, Indiana University Summer String Academy and North Carolina’s Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle.

The Verona Quartet has appeared across four continents, enchanting audiences at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center (New York City), Kennedy Center, Library of Congress (Washington, D.C.), Jordan Hall (Boston), Wigmore Hall (U.K.) and Melbourne Recital Hall (Australia), and has performed at festivals including La Jolla Summerfest, Chamber Music Northwest, Caramoor, Alpenglow, and Bravo! Vail, and with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The quartet curates the UpClose Chamber Music Series under the auspices of the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, bringing the visceral energy of classical music to diverse audiences in venues ranging from concert halls to craft breweries, and unlocking the secrets of the music through the “intimate way they communicate with each other and the audience” (The Arts Fuse, Boston).

A string quartet for the 21st century, the Verona Quartet champions the rich breadth of the string quartet repertoire from the time-honored canon through contemporary classics. Notable commissions and premieres include works by composers Julia Adolphe, Sebastian Currier, Corey Dundee, Texu Kim, as well as Michael Gilbertson’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated Quartet.

In addition to advocating contemporary music, the quartet strives for a dynamic, imaginative approach to collaboration and programming that champions cross-cultural and interdisciplinary enterprises. Such recent projects include a live-performance art installation with artist Ana Prvački, performances with dancers from Brooklyn’s Dance Heginbotham, artistic exchanges with traditional Emirati poets in the UAE, and a collaboration with GRAMMY-winning folk trio I’m With Her.

Drawing from the mentorship of the esteemed Cleveland, Juilliard and Pacifica Quartets, the Verona Quartet’s rapid rise to international prominence was fueled by top prize wins at the Wigmore Hall, Melbourne, M-Prize and Osaka International Chamber Music Competitions, as well as the 2015 Concert Artists Guild Competition. Their debut album, Diffusion—featuring the quartets of Janacek, Ravel and Szymanowski—will be released on Azica Records in the summer of 2021. Their second album, SHATTER, will showcase the works of American composers Julia Adolphe, Michael Gilbertson and Reena Esmail, in collaboration with Hindustani vocalist Saili Oak.

The ensemble’s “thoughtful, impressive” (Cleveland Classical) performances emanate from the spirit of storytelling; the Quartet believes that this transcends genre and therefore the name "Verona" pays tribute to William Shakespeare, one of the greatest storytellers of all time.

Booklet for Diffusion