program:
Three fragments for string quartet (1966) 07:36 [01] I. Slowly 03:38 duality for string quartet and piano (2007/2008) 24:52 [04] I. Energy and decision 05:37 2nd string quartet (1997) 19:25 [09] 1. Sonata - Introduction 08:24 [13] Antiphon (1st string quartet) 17:35 Total playing time: 70:12 Minguet Quartet Markus Bellheim, piano [04–08] |
Press:
Issue #157 At seventy-four years old, York Höller is one of the most productive composers of his generation. (…) In addition to the preference for continuing to think about what has been thought for centuries, there is a pronounced contempt for everything that is worn out, routine, schematic, too symmetrical, and even purely accidental. (…) “Three Fragments” for string quartet: three gems from the twenty-two year old. Traces of memory of Webern, Bartók, our own teacher Bernd Alois Zimmermann. (…) “Antiphon” for string quartet: a milestone in Höller’s work. Key experience: Höller experiences Gregorian singing in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Forty-two-tone sound shape. Often played and released on LP/CD, this is one of Höller's most popular compositions. (…) “Zwiegestalt” for string quartet and piano: A life marked by tragic events is once again reflected in complex images of sadness, despair and confidence, “Tranquillo misterioso e dolce” and “Energico e deciso”… All with dazzling recording technology and brilliant interpretation . Manfred Karallus
09/2016 “The Minguet Quartet and pianist Markus Bellheim provide an informative insight into York Höller's chamber music work with works from four decades. (…) The four works are very different, but what they all have in common is a strong compositional will that fuses the different suggestions and materials into a recognizable personal style.” (Max Nyffeler)
02/2017 “…a perspective that has evolved across 50 years in string quartet alone. Hence the pointillist brevity of Three fragments (1966), the textural diffusion between instruments and electronics of antiphon (1976), the Bartókian gestures of his second quartet (1997) and the reassessment of an earlier Germanic expressive tradition in duality (2008) – where pianist Markus Bellheim matches the Minguet Quartet in unwavering commitment.” (Richard Whitehouse)
Recommendation in the New Magazine for Music!
“Strict construction and sound sensuality come together effortlessly with Höller. […] The fact that these processes are immediately apparent when listening is thanks to the great Minguet Quartet, which feels just as at home in “new music” as it does in the classical-romantic repertoire and penetrates deep emotional and structural layers with its interpretations.” ( Egbert Hiller)
12/2016 “York Höller, one of the important figures in contemporary European music, also wrote several traditionally scored string quartets. […] The Minguet Quartet perfectly balances heart and brain in their music.” (Dirk Wieschollek) |
