Kronos Quartet: Early Music (Lachrymae Antigua)

Jack Body (Composer), John Cage (Composer), John Dowland (Composer), Hildegard of Bingen (Composer), Kassia (Composer), David Lamb (Composer, Performer), Guillaume de Machaut (Composer), Kronos Quartet (Performer), Joan Jeanrenaud (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: David Lamb, Kronos Quartet, Joan Jeanrenaud
• Composer: Jack Body, John Cage, John Dowland, Hildegard of Bingen, Kassia, et al.
• Audio CD (September 20, 2011)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000005J4S
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,018 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #87 in Music > Classical > Chamber Music > Quartets

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not as early as you might think, June 6, 2000

By 

Scott Taylor - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kronos Quartet: Early Music (Lachrymae Antigua) (Audio CD)

Yes, there is "old" music on this disc. But works in olden style by John Cage, Arvo Part, et al are also present. Quite a challenging program on the listener - but rewarding as well. I am particularly found of Kronos' setting of Alfred Shnittke's "Collected Songs Where Every Verse is Filled With Grief". Very eclectic recording performed with usual finesse of the Kronos Quartet - and some guests.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect !, November 22, 1998

By 

"dkfan82" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kronos Quartet: Early Music (Lachrymae Antigua) (Audio CD)

Some critics say that medievel music is boring and depressive. They also say contemporary music is boring and unlistenable. Well, at least with this one they're wrong !

This CD is very unusual and intersting. Unusual because the Kronos Quartet has managed to put works by Christopher Tye (highly recommended) and John Cage on one CD. Believe it or not but it works !

And it's interesting because on this vital mix some composers sound rather conservative (Cage's "Quodlibet"), while others (Peroin) get a refreshingly new and innovative sound.

Unfortunetly the booklet contains no info on how and why the likes of David Harrington et al came up with the idea of recording this hybrid mix but on the other hand it would probably destroy the magic of this record.

This CD will open new and exciting worlds for those who are willing to take the ride. At least it hasn't left my CD player for quite a while...

The Kronos Quartet has really deserved the Grammy they got for this one. I can only hope that they're going to record more medievel music in the future but that's probably just wishful thinking.....

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a good one, December 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Kronos Quartet: Early Music (Lachrymae Antigua) (Audio CD)

Who can say, as of now, how much of the music the KQ plays will fall, deservedly or not, by the wayside and how much of it will continue for the ages? At any rate, this CD is rewarding. I like the mix of quirky pieces with the staid, even if the title "Early Music" is misleading (since few original instruments are utilized in this record). Fine work; highly recommended.