James Tenney: Arbor Vitæ, Quatuors, Quintettes - Quatuor Bozzini

James Tenney: Arbor Vitæ - Quatuors - Quintettes
Works 1955 - 2006

Quatuor Bozzini

qb ‎– CQB 0806

A pioneering figure in post-war composition, James Tenney’s works reflect a deep curiosity about the properties of sound and their perception by listeners. His compositions investigate ideas of just intonation (Clang), perception (For Ann (Rising), stochastic elements (Music for Player Piano), information theory (Ergodos), graphic notation (Postcard Pieces), computer music (Analogue #1: Noise Study), collage (Collage No. 1 (Blue Suede)), and what he called “swell” (Koan: Having Never Written A Note For Percussion). He composed more than 50 works including orchestral, chamber, vocal, piano and electroacoustic music.

...The Montréal-based Bozzinis have established themselves beyond question as one of the finest new music quartets on the scene, skilful and dedicated young players with a consistently adventurous approach to repertoire. Their performances here are never less than outstanding....

...Quatuor Bozzini play every note with microscopic attention to detail and nuance, making even the smallest gesture contribute to this finely faceted gem. ...

Quatuors

1-1 - Arbor Vitæ (2006) - 13:10
1-2 - Saxony (1978-84) - 23:54
1-3 - Stochastic String Quartet (1963) - 2:48
1-4 - String Quartet In One Movement (1955) - 3:30
1-5 - Koan For String Quartet (1984) - 18:38

Quintettes

2-1 - Cognate Canons (1995) 24:58
Percussion – Rick Sacks

2-2 - Diaphonic Study (1997) - 18:25
Piano – Eve Egoyan

Quintext I-V: Five Textures (1972)
2-3 - Recent Thoughts For Morton Feldman - 9:47
2-4 - Clouds For Iannis Xenakis - 2:36
2-5 - A Choir Of Angels For Carl Ruggles - 3:57
2-6 - Parabolas And Hyperbolas For Edgard Varèse - 4:59
2-7 - Spectra For Harry Partch - 9:14
Double Bass – Miriam Shalinsky

Ensemble – Quatuor Bozzini
Cello – Isabelle Bozzini
Viola – Stéphanie Bozzini
Violin – Clemens Merkel, Nadia Francavilla

Recorded in hr-Sendesaal, Hessischer Rundfunk Frankfurt, 21-29 March 2008