British Modern composer Alan Ridout [1934–1996] wrote six string quartets. They are mostly very short, allowing them to be accommodated on one CD. All six were written in the last decade of the composer’s life and I find the contrasting moods in these works to be very pleasing – a mixture of the pastoral with some angst-ridden material, which is beautiful in its own way.
The First Quartet, in three movements starts in an adagio tempo and a sparse introduction featuring one violin sustained while the other expresses, is most genteel. A short dialogue between the violins leads into a pulsing, part-rhythmic, part-melodic ensemble phrase which is also very delicate. Now a throbbing, cello-heavy ensemble sound breaks the mood. This short passage returns to the previous pulsing, which begins an upward path of intensity. The harmonies change with this ascension. A wispy passage has the two violins, almost flute-like, engaging in a further dialogue before a solo cello passage announces a transcendent mood – positively uplifting. Nearing the end, the music degenerates into a dissonance and fades away.
A powerful ensemble sound opens the next movement, with the music surging forward as all instruments have a role to play. A prancing violin duet develops then moves into a period of pizzicato, alternating with rhythmic passages. Frantic violins craft searing melodies with a high level of intensity, which constantly increases until a sharp chord defines the end.
The final movement has a solo violin musing until a second voice is occasionally heard. The entrance of the ensemble brings about a reflective mood which is absolutely wonderful. Now strong forces prevail as the cello surges forward and the violins craft powerful duet melodies. This feeling doesn’t last and again we have the meandering violins’ duet, albeit a little more intense this time. The ensemble returns with supportive harmonies, leading to a further sense of wonder. Rich violin tones slowly dissipate and finally disappear, concluding the work.
This work this is an emotionally drenched form of modernity. I really like it.
The Sixth Quartet is titled The Vitreene, which I take to mean ‘pane of glass’ but I’m not so certain of this one. It contains five movements, all named in French. It is also the longest of the composer’s quartets.
I – Le chateau
The opening is pure bliss, with a stately sound, almost anthemic. Mostly consisting of chords, there are subtle melodies to be found within these harmonised phrases. The melodies slowly come to the fore and the chordal harmonies are replaced by complementary cello and viola lines. A brief pause brings about a significant change as the two violins are achingly expressive – there is a sense of peace to be found here.
II – Le marche
This wistful little movement is most dance-like, with a distinctive folk quality creating a sense of the pastoral.
III – L’eglise Notre Dame
Reminiscent of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, the sound is almost modal with sustained chords and a positively shrill violin interlude. If this is the Notre Dame, I want to go there. The music could have been written hundreds of years ago, such is its elegance, with the purity of the violins and complementary harmonies beautiful beyond words. What a stunning movement.
IV – Le premiere mai
Another brief movement, this features extensive use of pizzicato and double-stops to create a strong chordal effect. The melodies are again folk-like with the pizzicato reinforcing the mood.
V – Le promenade du val
A lilting, almost romantic feeling introduces this final movement. Intertwining violin lines rise to the surface and again, an optimism can be heard. This music is a long way from the late twentieth century as the violins vocalise their way through to a conclusion.
I feel as though I want to write about some more of Ridout’s quartets, as he investigates many different emotional spaces – maybe another time. I encourage you to listen to them all to experience the previously mentioned contrasts.
The review CD, titled 6 String Quartets performed by the Coull Quartet and released on the Omnibus Classics label is available from Amazon US and UK.
The CD can be heard on Spotify, earsense and YouTube.
Listenability: Marvellous works, strangely not of their time.