Customer Reviews

Henryk Mikolaj Górecki: Already It Is Dusk (String Quartet No. 1, Op. 62) (1988) / "Lerchenmusik" Recitatives & Ariosos, Op. 53, for Clarinet, Cello & Piano (1984) - Kronos Quartet / London Sinfonietta Soloists

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Gorecki has been called a "minimalist," betraying a confusion between minimalism and what I will call "calculated simplicity." A classic minimalist piece is Terry Riley's "In C," which develops enormous complexity from a system of small structures and rules. "Lerchenmusik" is an entirely different composition; from a relatively small palette, Gorecki has created a work of uncompromising power and brutal clarity. The instruments combine in fresh and surprising ways, exploring heretofore unheard sonorities. From the first few bars, the piece generates astonishment. The performers are also phenomenal; the coordination and execution are flawless.

As a person professionally schooled in music I have come late to the offerings of the twentieth century. Possibly it is a matter of opening one's ears as well as one's soul to new experiences, new messages, new formats that pass beyond the offerings of the past. I see now, with Gorecki's help, that I do indeed have the capacity to make a leap both in what I consider relevant music as well as the underlying message. These are indeed new thoughts for me and this album, in particular, represents a challenge as well as a great reward in listening. Lerchenmusic, of all the Gorecki compositions I have heard will challenge the listener to take inside the message that is offered. The performance is stark, clear, and like being in the middle of a contact sport even to the issue of breathing. Truly, the is a greatness to this man's work which I hope you will find time and patience to explore

Henryk Mikolaj Górecki: Already It Is Dusk (String Quartet No. 1, Op. 62) (1988) / "Lerchenmusik" Recitatives & Ariosos, Op. 53, for Clarinet, Cello & Piano (1984) - Kronos Quartet / London Sinfonietta Solois is a 1991 Elektra recording starring the Kronos Quartet on the first piece and then one gets to hear the London Sinfonietta Soloists, i.e., Michael Colins, clarinet, Christopher Van Kampen on the cello and pianist John Constable. The first piece I really do not like as it sounds like more noise then anything else. Lerchenmusik is better and is more traditional. Recommended for fans of modern classical music otherwise avoid it. 3/5.