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Album Summary
Performers
Marek Andrysek (Accordion)- Roman Widaszek (Clarinet)
Notes & Reviews:
Zbigniew Bargielski's works for string quartet are an important and brilliant chapter in the history of Polish music, both in the last quarter of the 20th and the first decade of the 21st centuries. The limelight in these recordings is on the instruments of the Silesian String Quartet, as well as on the accordion, played by Marek Andrysek and the clarinet, played by Roman Widaszek.
American Record Guide, January/February 2013
The performances of these works are convincing and exciting, and the recorded quality is clear and pleasant. The music is argumentative and pastoral and everything in between, but don't expect a formal structure because it is always interrupted by another element. It is a remarkable collection.
Recording information: Concert Hall of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music, (04/07/2008-04/28/2008).
Reviews
Striking a Balance
This 2-disc set present the six string quartets (and two works for string quartet plus one) by Polish composer Zbigniew Bargielski. Bargielski writes in a highly personal form of atonality, one that to my ears sounds similar to fellow countryman Henryk Gorecki in his early works. Bargielski's developed what he calls a "theory of center structures" that gives his composition direction. The idea is to balance the center sounds (melodies) with those of the harmonic centers, paying attention to dynamics, tonal color and duration.
One of the most effective works in this collection is "A Night of Farewells," for accordion and string quartet. I found it especially appealing because of the ensemble's interesting blend. The accordion doesn't playing anything remotely folk-like, yet it gives the work a decided Eastern European flavor. The clarinet in "Through the Looking Glass "(for string quartet with clarinet) also has a similar effect. Bargielski give the clarinet an aggressive sound and has it bending pitches that sound Klezmer-inspired.
At first hearing, the six string quartets seem remarkably similar. Only after living with the music for a while could I hear the gradual development of Bargielski's musical language from work to work as he explored the possibilities of his center structure concept. Make no mistake: this is difficult listening. But the music holds rewards for the thoughtful and attentive listener.
Bargielski's compositions are especially well-suited to the SACD format. His careful balancing of musical centers is done with precision and delicacy. Subtle changes in timbre and articulation that are lost on the CD version are easily heard on the SACD version.
Submitted on 10/31/12 by Ralph
One of the most effective works in this collection is "A Night of Farewells," for accordion and string quartet. I found it especially appealing because of the ensemble's interesting blend. The accordion doesn't playing anything remotely folk-like, yet it gives the work a decided Eastern European flavor. The clarinet in "Through the Looking Glass "(for string quartet with clarinet) also has a similar effect. Bargielski give the clarinet an aggressive sound and has it bending pitches that sound Klezmer-inspired.
At first hearing, the six string quartets seem remarkably similar. Only after living with the music for a while could I hear the gradual development of Bargielski's musical language from work to work as he explored the possibilities of his center structure concept. Make no mistake: this is difficult listening. But the music holds rewards for the thoughtful and attentive listener.
Bargielski's compositions are especially well-suited to the SACD format. His careful balancing of musical centers is done with precision and delicacy. Subtle changes in timbre and articulation that are lost on the CD version are easily heard on the SACD version.
Submitted on 10/31/12 by Ralph
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Works Details
Bargielski, Zbigniew : Quartet for Strings no 1 ("Alpine") - Ensemble: Silesian String Quartet
- Notes: Concert Hall of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music, Katowice, Poland (04/07/2008-04/28/2008)
- Running Time: 13 min. 28 sec.
- Period Time: Contemporary
- Written: 1976
Bargielski, Zbigniew : Quartet for Strings no 2 ("Spring") - Notes: Concert Hall of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music, Katowice, Poland (04/07/2008-04/28/2008)
- Running Time: 13 min. 4 sec.
- Period Time: Contemporary
Bargielski, Zbigniew : Quartet for Strings no 3 ("Still Life with a Scream") - Notes: Concert Hall of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music, Katowice, Poland (04/07/2008-04/28/2008)
- Running Time: 21 min. 7 sec.
- Period Time: Contemporary
- Written: 1985-1986
Bargielski, Zbigniew : A Night of Farewells, for accordion & string quartet - Performer: Marek Andrysek (Accordion)
- Notes: Concert Hall of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music, Katowice, Poland (04/07/2008-04/28/2008)
- Running Time: 13 min. 18 sec.
- Period Time: Contemporary
- Written: 1983
Bargielski, Zbigniew : Quartet for Strings no 4 ("Burning Time") - Notes: Concert Hall of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music, Katowice, Poland (04/07/2008-04/28/2008)
- Running Time: 14 min. 4 sec.
- Period Time: Contemporary
- Written: 1994
Bargielski, Zbigniew : Quartet for Strings no 5 ("The Time That's Passed") - Notes: Concert Hall of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music, Katowice, Poland (04/07/2008-04/28/2008)
- Running Time: 28 min. 48 sec.
- Period Time: Contemporary
- Written: 2001
Bargielski, Zbigniew : Quartet for Strings no 6 ("Dramatic") - Notes: Concert Hall of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music, Katowice, Poland (04/07/2008-04/28/2008)
- Running Time: 13 min. 47 sec.
- Period Time: Contemporary
- Written: 2006
Bargielski, Zbigniew : Through the Looking Glass, for string quartet & clarinet - Performer: Roman Widaszek (Clarinet)
- Notes: Concert Hall of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music, Katowice, Poland (04/07/2008-04/28/2008)
- Running Time: 12 min. 28 sec.
- Period Time: Contemporary
- Form: Chamber Music
- Written: 1988
