Jeffrey Stadelman: 3 String Quartets New England String Quartet

• 1 I. — 03:58
• 2 II. — 05:03
• 3 III. — 02:10
• 4 IV. — 00:53
• 5 V. — 03:48
• 6 VI. — 04:20
• 7 VII. — 08:18
• 8 VIII. — 02:15
• 9 IX. — 04:49
• 10 Eastland 15:36
• 11 I. — 04:00
• 12 II. — 03:02
• 13 III. — 08:40
• Total Runtime 01:06:52

Info for Jeffrey Stadelman: 3 String Quartets

Composer Jeffrey Stadelman presents three string quartets on Navona Records, each offering distinct perspectives on his career and versatile style of composition. Performed by the New England String Quartet, these works illustrate the composer’s intense, lyrical, and sensuous modes of expression. Stadelman’s music is described as “bold, dramatic and compelling” (Audiophile Audition), and “immediately arresting and instantly commands attention” (MusicWeb International) Seraphita (Canons), the composer’s most recent work on this album, is a nine-movement canonic elaboration of the tune from the first song of Arnold Schoenberg’s Four Lieder, Op. 22 (1917) One of the composer’s few programmatic pieces, Eastland, was prompted by the tragic story of the 1915 Eastland disaster, in which a passenger steamship capsized in the Chicago River, drowning hundreds. This is an expressively straightforward piece that “aims to take its sardonic attitude to existential extremes,” using long glissandos and other devices to suggest the implacability, banality and blindness of fate.

New England String Quartet

New England String Quartet
Established in Boston in 2007, the New England String Quartet is dedicated to expanding the contemporary chamber music tradition through performances, recordings, educational activities and community outreach projects. The ensemble seeks to develop collaborations with contemporary composers, soloists and other ensembles.

NESQ members are winners of international competitions in the U.S. and abroad. The quartet made numerous debut recordings of contemporary works on the PARMA label, including works by Alan Beeler, Michael Cunningham, Sarah Wallin-Huff, Larry Read, Kyle Peter Rotolo, and others. Among their recent world premieres are Romance and Descent No.1 (Brian Buch), Exquisitries, Light Excelleth Darkness (Betsy Schramm), String Quartet No.2 (Pasquale Tassone), Five on Five (Beth Denisch).

Having made their debut at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, the ensemble is featured in concert series across New England including 3rd Sundays @ 3, Menotomy, Bach’s Lunch, Parma Music Festival, and the Chromatic Club of Boston. The quartet’s discography includes 'Quadrants: Modern String Quartets' (2012, Navona Records), 'Perceptions: Points of View for Small Ensemble' (2013, Navona Records), “Allusions” (2013, Navona Records), “Unbridled - Chamber Works by Sergio Cervetti” (2014, Navona Records), “Sarah Wallin Huff: Soul of the Machine” (2014, Navona Records), 'Scott Pender: 88+12' (2014, Navona Records), 'Darkness to Light - The Music of Jeffrey Jacob' (2014, Navona Records).

In 2012 NESQ became the ensemble-in-residence at Harvard University's Dudley House and actively participates in community outreach and music education programs presenting performances, chamber music coaching, and lectures. Supported by The Foundation for the Advancement of String Education the quartet’s educational activities include hands-on chamber music work and performances together with music students.

Members of the quartet conduct extensive research on chamber music pedagogy, performance, and compositional styles, and curate the public access television program Intermezzo featuring chamber music performances, interviews with artists and composers, and educational presentations. The show is intended to cultivate a new generation of chamber musicians who are well-informed about both contemporary and classical music traditions.

New England String Quartet at Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport, MA The quartet also collaborates with popular music, soundtrack, and video game producers. In 2014, NESQ recorded soundtracks for Lord of The Rings and Dungeons & Dragons online video games (Warner Bros. Entertainment). NESQ's violinist Julia Okrusko has been recording and producing original soundtracks, and collaborates actively with visual media producers. Her works were nominated by Hollywood Music in Media Awards in Best Classical, Best New Age, and Best Orchestral categories.

This album contains no booklet.