Benjamin Lees: String Quartets Nos.1, 5 & 6 (Naxos Audio CD)

Cypress String Quartet
Cecily Ward (violin I)
Tom Stone (violin II)
Ethan Filner (viola)
Jennifer Kloetzel (cello)

The highly personal style of American composer Benjamin Lees lends his music the lofty grandeur and sardonic wit, not only of Shostakovich but also of the Cubist and Surrealist artists, all of whom he so admires.

Lees, who also shares Britten’s refined sense of harmony, delights in contrasts and surprises, enthralling the listener at every turn from the lyrical to the burlesque, the romantic to the brusque.

His fifth string quartet was chosen by ChamberMusic America as one of its 101 Great Ensemble Works.


“Cypress String Quartet move through the many colours of Impressions with an almost painterly skill.” American Record Guide on 8.559298