Utrecht String Quartet, Ilona Timchenko - Martin: Chamber Music (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Martin Piano Quintet I. Andante con moto
02. Martin Piano Quintet II. Tempo di Minuetto
03. Martin Piano Quintet III. Adagio ma non troppo
04. Martin Piano Quintet IV. Presto
05. Martin Trio for Strings I. Grave
06. Martin Trio for Strings II. Tres vif et soulant
07. Martin Trio for Strings III. Tres lent
08. Martin Quartet for Strings I. Lento
09. Martin Quartet for Strings II. Prestissimo
10. Martin Quartet for Strings III. Larghetto
11. Martin Quartet for Strings IV. Allegretto leggero



Frank Martin's chamber music oeuvre is very manageable, and yet it spans an entire artistic life. Together with pianist Ilona Timchenko, the Utrecht String Quartet dedicates itself to three key works that bring together the tradition and modernity of the 20th century in an impressive way.

The youngest of ten children, Martin grew up in a Calvinist parish household, surrounded by music-making with his older siblings. His early piano quartet from 1919 clearly reflects the influences of music from Bach to Franck, albeit enriched by many a dissonance that hints at more far-reaching harmonic ambitions.

Martin quickly reached the limits of the traditional major-minor system, but without negating the importance of a tonal center. He combined Schönberg's twelve-tone technique with a fine sense of sound and harmonic sophistication, which is particularly evident in the two outer movements of the string trio from 1936.

Martin only turned to the royal genre of chamber music at the age of 75. His string quartet from 1966 combines inspirations from a long artistic career. Harmony, melody and rhythm form the unmistakable unity of Martin's music, which the Utrecht String Quartet brings to life with natural ease.

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