Harlem Quartet - Piston: String Quartets Nos. 1, 3 & 5 (2010)

Tracklist

01. String Quartet No. 1: I. Allegro
02. String Quartet No. 1: II. Adagio
03. String Quartet No. 1: III. Allegro vivace
04. String Quartet No. 3: I. Allegro
05. String Quartet No. 3: II. Lento
06. String Quartet No. 3: III. Allegro
07. String Quartet No. 5: I. Allegro
08. String Quartet No. 5: II. Adagio
09. String Quartet No. 5: III. Allegro

Much lauded in his lifetime, Walter Piston is remembered chiefly today for his eight Symphonies, the two Violin Concertos (8.559003) and the popular ballet, The Incredible Flutist (8.559160). This recording presents three of the five string quartets, which range from from the lithe neo-Classicism of the First Quartet and the rhythmic trenchancy and intense melodic writing of the Third Quartet to the forceful yet accessible Fifth. This is the Naxos début of the Harlem Quartet, an ensemble comprising First-Place Laureates of the Sphinx Competition for young Black and Latino string players. More of Piston’s chamber music is available on 8.559071.

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