Mario Lavista: Complete String Quartets
The influences on the work of Mario Lavista (b. 1943), Mexico's leading contemporary composer, range from mediaeval, religious and folk music to modernism. His music has a powerful sense of atmosphere and colour — the Second String Quartet, Reflejos de la noche, is played entirely on harmonics — and a vigorous rhythmic drive reminiscent of the quartet-writing of Shostakovich.
Cuarteto Latinoamericano, string quartet
Listen To This Recording:
- String Quartet No. 2, Reflejos de la noche (1984): Sempre a tempo, con una grande precisione ritmica
- Largamente, flessibile
- Presto
- Molto allegro
- Allegro leggiero
- Molto lento, flessibile
- String Quartet No. 4, SinfonÃas (1996) Lento, da lontano, come una bruma sonora
- Invención I: Presto
- Invención II: Motete isorritmico (Moderato)
- Invención III: Andante con moto
- Invención IV: Andante tranquillo
- Invención V: Presto
- Invención VI: Lento flessibile
- Invención VII: Molto allegro con brio
- String Quartet No. 1, DiacronÃa (1969): Lento
- I. Danza
- II. Motete
- III. Canon
- IV. Coral
- V. Estudio
String Quartet No. 3, Música para mi vecino (1995)
String Quartet No. 5, Siete invenciones (1998)
String Quartet No. 6, Suite en cinco partes (1999)
Fanfare Magazine :
‘All composers inherit the music of the past along with that of their own time. From that, the best of them forge their own inimitable languages, pushing the envelope forward and becoming the classics of the future. Mario Lavista is, unequivocally, in that category. The sound is excellent — close up, but with lots of air and color. I can’t imagine better performances of this most intriguing and satisfying music. So here you have it — the complete string quartet output to date of Mario Lavista in Want List-quality performances. So, do yourself a favor…’
—William Zagorski, Fanfare Magazine
MusicWeb International :
‘In broader terms, there really ought to be many more discs of Lavista’s original music available. The Brodsky Quartet notably recorded the Second Quartet on Orchid ORC100012 recently, but others here may well be firsts. At any rate, this Toccata disc must be the foundation stone of a Lavista collection, which itself should be part of any serious music lover’s plans.’
—Byzantion, MusicWeb International
MusicWeb International :
‘Well-conceived, well-played and well-presented. A little gem […]
The playing of the Cuarteto Latinoamericano is accomplished, free yet tightly directed from start to finish. Indeed, the quartet was effectively the inspiration, the impetus certainly, for most of these quartets. The players seem to have the music in their blood. It would be hard to think of more persuasive accounts.
The booklet that comes with this CD is informative without feeling any need to rush, proselytise or over-advocate. That must be in keeping with what one senses is an aspect of Lavista’s confident and generous personality. To be judged sui generis for sure, these six works are not only different enough one from another, but also amazingly creative enough to repay repeated hearings. As an indication of new directions for the medium, they make every sense. As beautiful works in their own right, they are superb.’
—Mark Sealey, MusicWeb International