Elliott Carter: String Quartets Nos. 2, 3 & 4 (Naxos Audio CD)

Pacifica Quartet
Simin Ganatra (violin I)
Sibbi Bernhardsson (violin II)
Masumi Per Rostad (viola)
Brandon Vamos (cello)

To celebrate his 100th birthday, Elliott Carter's Complete String Quartets have been newly recorded by the Pacifica Quartet, Musical America's Ensemble of the Year for 2009.

Volume 1 (8.559362) was critically acclaimed:
"a knockout" (Limelight)
"Music with heart as well as a brain" (4 STARS, The Times)
"the best possible introduction to Carter's music" (5 STARS, The Guardian)

This disc presents the three remaining string quartets by the composer hailed by Aaron Copland as “one of America’s most distinguished creative artists in any field”.

“The Pacificas launch a complete cycle of his string quartets with the imposing First (a breakthrough in metrical complexity) paired with the airier, swifter Fifth. Naxos do composer and musicians proud, with clear sound and a good spatial spread – essential for catching the tumbling notes. Music with heart as well as a brain; and a great Naxos bargain.”
The Times