Cypress String Quartet - Lees: String Quartets Nos. 1, 5 and 6 (2009)

Tracklist

01. String Quartet No. 1: I. Moderato
02. String Quartet No. 1: II. Adagietto
03. String Quartet No. 1: III. Allegro Vivo
04. String Quartet No. 5: I. Measured
05. String Quartet No. 5: II. Arioso
06. String Quartet No. 5: III. Quick, Quiet
07. String Quartet No. 5: IV. Explosive
08. String Quartet No. 6: I. Measured, Dolorous
09. String Quartet No. 6: II. Calm, Steady
10. String Quartet No. 6: III. Quiet, Eerie
11. String Quartet No. 6: IV. Unhurried

The highly personal style of American composer Benjamin Lees lends his music the lofty grandeur and sardonic wit, not only of Shostakovich but also of the Cubist and Surrealist artists, all of whom he so admires. Lees, who also shares Britten’s refined sense of harmony, delights in contrasts and surprises, enthralling the listener at every turn from the lyrical to the burlesque, the romantic to the brusque. His fifth string quartet was chosen by Chamber Music America as one of its 101 Great Ensemble Works.

DOWNLOAD ALBUM [flac]