British Early Modern composer Stephen Cuthbert Vivian Dodgson [1924–2013] wrote nine string quartets. I have selected the Fourth Quartet for discussion, although the Third, which is also on the review CD, is equally fine.
The work opens with a solo violin section, deep in its lower register – at first I thought it was a cello, but as it unfolded, the range indicated otherwise. It expresses a ruminative feeling, as it slowly ascends into its middle register. An animated second violin now enters, with percussive phrases which eventually are replaced by a melodic accompaniment to the first violin. The violins simply plead and a sustained note leads into a wonderful set of harmonised violins, with great emotion. A cello emerges, finally gives the mood some impetus, while the violins still express lamenting lines. This is quite a sparse movement and the tempo never really settles. A more frantic passage unfolds, although it is not loud. A recapitulation of the opening passage is heard, with the cello included this time. The feeling seems very wispy, as if the music is constantly hinting at something, which never comes. What does come however, is an alluring passage of sustained notes, then some melodic lines continue to the end.
The next movement begins in a furtive manner, with three sounds overlapping in an ambiguous mood. This is quite conversational, with instruments mimicking one another. The feeling changes slowly, eventually becoming more assertive with strong harmonised chords supporting some positive violin statements. Constantly overlapping violins alternate with the dense, chordal sections, and the end is a series of strong violin lines.
The third, shortest movement commences with a flute-like solo violin in its highest register, which is soon supported by subtle statements from the ensemble – the opening is now heard again, and all of the activity is in the middle register. Slowly, the music becomes concrete for the first time, although it still conveys a rather vague feeling. This is a wonderful passage, which increases in expression by the minute. Nearing the end, the violins concoct a short, strange conversation until a pizzicato pop concludes.
The next movement has two violins investigating another conversational soundscape. The cello enters, complementing the excited violin lines. A mellowing of the texture leads to a sparsity – the violins are beautiful here. One breaks into an ostinato briefly, before returning to the vague dialogue. This is mysterious music, and deeply expressive with the tension between the two violins palpable. There are several mood changes but is always about the violins here. A slow, sparse section is wonderful as they reach out for some unknown feeling and fade to a subtle finish.
The finale is more focussed on rhythm than anything heard thus far. The music is still mainly about the violins as the cello only makes subtle inferences in the background. As the piece progresses it assumes more prominence and now is part of the conversation. The dynamics from the opening have been reduced to a measured dialogue featuring all instruments. Short, percussive phrases are passed around, and nearing the end, there are several assertive, slightly dissonant harmonised phrases to conclude.
To me this music is intangible, but emotionally very deep, although sometimes I can’t quite pin it down. I love the soundscapes that it produces, prompting me to purchase online another volume of quartets from Dodgson. I reviewed the Fourth Quartet from Spotify, which is the only place that you can hear it. This disc also contains a superb Third Quartet and a Guitar Quintet, which sounds slightly out of place here. As I am about to explain, this impression may be useful.
The Tippet Quartet have recorded three CDs of Dodgson’s quartets on the Dutton Epoch label. However, the review CD, Volume 2 appears to be no longer available, except as an MP3 download from Amazon US. Of course, you could download just the two quartets, I think that the quintet is dispensable. Strangely, Volumes 1 & 3 are still readily available on Amazon US and UK. I’m looking forward to receiving my Volume 1 from Presto Classical soon.
As I said previously, Volume 2 can be heard on Spotify and it is definitely worth a listen.
Listenability: I found both Quartets Nos. 3 and 4 to be a wonderful, satisfying, sometimes mysterious experience.