String Quartets 1 & 2

Bonnal (Artist), Quatuor Debussy (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 10, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arion
• ASIN: B00004YWS2
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,715,326 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. String Quartet No. 1: Vif

2. String Quartet No. 1: Assez vif, àpre et sarcastique

3. String Quartet No. 1: Grave et expressif

4. String Quartet No. 1: Très animé

5. String Quartet No. 2: Grave- Juvénile

6. String Quartet No. 2: Gravement

7. String Quartet No. 2: Vif

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular! Why have I never heard of Bonnal before?, April 29, 2004

By 

chefdevergue (Spokane, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: String Quartets 1 & 2 (Audio CD)

Based only on these 2 quartets, I would have to rank Joseph-Ermend Bonnal as one of the best composers I have never heard of. These quartets are the product of a supreme practicioner of his craft. According to the liner notes, Bonnal was held in high esteem by his peers (such as Ravel & Dukas); he was an organ student of Vierne & Tournemire, and a composition student of Faure. As an organist, Bonnal was also a deputy to Tournemire & Widor in their respective postings.

How such a gifted composer could sink into utter obscurity is totally beyond me. I am fairly well-acquainted with this period's repetoire, and had never heard of Bonnal. After hearing these quartets (he reminds me, to a degree, of Ravel & Debussy, but his own voice is clear & distinctive) I will be eagerly seeking out his symphonies and organ works --- if I can find them.

Usually, obscure composers have a reason for their obscurity. They may be competent enough, but their music just doesn't reach out and grab the listener. One cannot say that of Bonnal. These quartets are absolutely splendid!