The New Zealand String Quartet (l to r: Gillian Ansell, Monique Lapins, Helene Pohl, Rolf Gjelsten) Photo: NZSQ
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) dedicated his String Quartet to his composition teacher Gabriel Fauré, which is surprising since Fauré was harshly critical of the work. In fact, Ravel was more inspired by Debussy’s quartet and there are similarities of approach. Each composer uses his opening theme to create cohesion within the work.
Ravel melds innovative tonality into traditional forms, crafting orchestral-like colours that reveal his interests spanned from the atmospheric timbres of Javanese Gamelan he heard at the 1889 Paris World Fair to the clear sound of French Baroque masters like Rameau.
Recorded on 14 July 2019, at Hunter Council Chamber, Wellington by RNZ Concert
Producer/Sound engineer: Darryl Stack
