3/21/2024 0 Comments Sibelius string quartets review![]() It’s all immaculately performed by the Wirén Quartet. All the quartets are overflowing with plinky plonks and zings and fiiiieuws – or whatever the technical terms may be. One thing that remains constant is Wirén’s wonderful talent for string arranging. Not Stockhausen or Ligeti modern though, more like Sibelius and Shostakovich modern. What’s left for a composer after writing a neoclassical masterpiece such as that third string quartet? Judging from his fourth and fifth quartets, also included on this record, Wirén chose to adopt a more modern style. And sometimes that’s all you need during those darkest days of the year. But the way Wirén develops and combines his musical themes bears witness to a timeless craftmanship that engages your attention while still being easy on the ears. None of this would have sounded innovative in 1941. Drop me a note in the comments if you can help me out.Īfter the short but stirring minuet, the quartet closes with a finale where Wirén waves a tapestry out of the basic melodies of the previous three movements. The second, slow movement is a romantic piece based on a pining melody that I’m sure I’ve heard before but can’t quite place. ![]() And just when their disagreement reaches its climax, the conversation abruptly halts and begins anew. Gradually, the other instruments join in to start a fascinating dialogue based on that motif. Like a flower from under a snow bed, the first violin rises to the surface with the basic melody. Its first movement starts off with a softly rocking accompaniment. Actually, he sounds like Brahms with a pair of warm woolen mittens.īut who cares that he was not hip with the times? Especially if he managed to come up with compositions such as his third string quartet, my favorite one on this record. Wirén’s style, especially in his early years, can only be described as neoclassical. Luckily, his music is more memorable than his aphorisms.
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