Debussy: String Quartet in G Minor, Op.10 - I Animé et très décidé
Debussy: String Quartet in G Minor, Op.10 - I Assez vif et bien rythmé
Debussy: String Quartet in G Minor, Op.10 - III Andantino, doucement expressif
Debussy: String Quartet in G Minor, Op.10 - IV Très modéré - Très mouvementé
Fauré: String Quartet in E Minor, Op.121 - I Allegro moderato
Fauré: String Quartet in E Minor, Op.121 - II Andante
Fauré: String Quartet in E Minor, Op.121 - III Allegro
Ravel: String Quartet in F Major - I Allegro moderato - Très doux
Ravel: String Quartet in F Major - II Assez vif - Très rythmé
Ravel: String Quartet in F Major - III Très lent
Ravel: String Quartet in F Major - IV Vif et agité
One of today's most sought-after quartets worldwide, the French Ébène Quartet (Pierre Colombet and Gabriel Le Magadure on violins, Mathieu Herzog on viola, and Raphaël Merlin on cello), formed in 1999, is re... more »gularly praised for its mastery, elegance, density, complicity, andspirit. The quartet has also been lauded for its remarkable open-mindedness and versatility, displaying equal facility in the classical repertoire and contemporary music, while also regularly performing jazz and other popular music. For Quatuor Ebene, their debut disc on Virgin Classics, they have recorded the three great French quartets by Ravel, Debussy, and Fauré. It is the first time all three of these quartets appear on one single album, with over 80 minutes of music!« less
One of today's most sought-after quartets worldwide, the French Ébène Quartet (Pierre Colombet and Gabriel Le Magadure on violins, Mathieu Herzog on viola, and Raphaël Merlin on cello), formed in 1999, is regularly praised for its mastery, elegance, density, complicity, andspirit. The quartet has also been lauded for its remarkable open-mindedness and versatility, displaying equal facility in the classical repertoire and contemporary music, while also regularly performing jazz and other popular music. For Quatuor Ebene, their debut disc on Virgin Classics, they have recorded the three great French quartets by Ravel, Debussy, and Fauré. It is the first time all three of these quartets appear on one single album, with over 80 minutes of music!
CD Reviews
Fantastic!
Sid Nuncius | London England | 10/05/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a fantastic disc. Quatuor Ébène are a brilliant quartet, and their debut disc of Haydn remains a firm favourite of mine. This disc is just as good, showing that they have as much empathy with Ravel, Debussy and Fauré as Haydn and their superb technique, faultless intonation and brilliant mutual understanding are well in evidence here.
BBC Radio 3's Building A Library reviewer recently chose this recording of the Fauré quartet as the best available - in the face of phenomenal competition from the world's best quartets of the last 80 years - and the disc has just won "Recording of the Year" at the 2009 Gramophone Awards - one of the most prestigious awards available anywhere. It's a deserved honour for a terrific recording by a very fine quartet. I'm delighted, and these awards probably say a lot more than I can about the quality of this disc. It's fabulous and very warmly recommended."
Keep your eyes and ears on these guys!
Tom in Seattle | 04/17/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a wonderful CD! The sheer musicality of these guys is amazing. The sounds blend so smoothly that the pieces reveal their organic quality from the first notes. When will they record Mozart next? Performers of the first rank."
Fine performance from young quartet
Will | San Francisco | 04/03/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"
What a sensational disc! At a time when there is a multitude of crack new quartets, Quatuor Ebéne here stake their claim to join the top rank with riveting playing that encompasses an almost other-worldly sound-range. The Debussy especially left me reeling. With Ebéne, the Pavel Haas players, the Belceas, the Pacificas, Jerusalems and more, chamber fans are in good hands for the next few decades at least.
-- Gramophone [12/2008]"
Astonishing performance
S. Spiguel | Rio de Janeiro - Brazil | 08/11/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ravel, Debussy & Fauré interpreted with the strength and originality typical of the good young musicians."
Exceptional french quartets
Ivor E. Zetler | Sydney Australia | 11/01/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This disc won the 2009 Gramophone Record of the Year award, and deservedly so. The Ebene Quartet play with immaculate technical assurance, ardour and the appropriate Gallic flair. The sound is clear, natural and lifelike. The "product" is so good as to equal and on occasions better the classic Italian Quartet performances on Phillips. That disc only couples the Debussy and Ravel. The Ebene include the rarely recorded Faure quartet; a work previously unfamiliar to me. This was Faure's final composition; it is somewhat meandering in nature but repeated listening reveals it to be a composition of autumnal beauty and well worth investigating. Bravo!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1