German composer Klaus Fischer-Dieskau [1921–1994] wrote at least four string quartets. He had a brother Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, who was a baritone and conductor.

The Fourth Quartet is in three movements. This atonal work opens with a phrase being passed around all instruments. Now a violin takes the lead and the ensemble follow with harmonised phrases – it is quite energetic. The harmonies make for a wonderful, spacious sound before a harmonised descending phrase leads into a section of all instruments playing the same rhythmically but with different harmonies. A pause brings in a sparse segment with a strange soundscape being established – this is brilliant music making and it continues for some time. The violins drift across a subtle abstract accompaniment, all the while maintaining the mood. Eventually the intensity rises and the violins become more agitated. The feeling morphs into one of two violins which are then joined by a pulsing accompaniment, which moves to a sharp stop. This is fabulous music.

The next movement is considerably shorter, all the while occupying a similar emotional texture to the previous mood. A period of pizzicato develops into a solo violin and slowly the other instruments blend in with their atonal lines. The phrasing is quite pulsating for a time. A pause leads into more pizzicato, then to a Feldman-like passage before ending on a pizzicato stroke.

The final movement begins in an adagio tempo with lilting, atonal violin lines. There has been a remarkable consistency of texture within the three movements, mostly of a longing or lamenting nature. A jump into an energised section is quite different for the piece and it doesn’t last. The melancholy soon resumes with long static phrases which again, are quite beautiful. Two violins probe, with cello and viola expressing sombre interjections occasionally. Another rhythmic passage ensues, pleasantly pushing the music forward. This is the gentlest music heard thus far and it concludes like the two previous movements, with a single violin stroke.

This is some of the most attractive quartet music that I have heard in a while – it really hits the spot with its restrained atonality.

The review CD String Quartets Nos. 1 & 4 is by the Albis Quartet.

This CD can be found on Spotify.

Listenability: Soothing atonality