Naresh Sohal: String Quartets
The British-based Naresh Sohal, born in Punjab in 1939 but resident in the UK for most of his life, was the first person of Indian origin to make his mark as a composer of western classical music, writing works that displayed an unusual fusion of two cultures. The four quartets heard here – two of them being performed for the first time – document Sohal’s stylistic journey: the fireworks of Chiaroscuro II reflect the wild energy of European modernism, whereas the three later works are more considered in manner, incorporating occasional echoes of Indian music into their freewheeling counterpoint.
Piatti Quartet
Listen To This Recording:
- Chiaroscuro II (String Quartet No. 1) (1976) (14:46)
- String Quartet No. 3 (2008) (15:32)
String Quartet No. 4 (2009)
- I. Allegro – Adagio (8:00)
- II. Moderato (8:47)
- III. Allegro (7:12)
String Quartet No. 5 (2010) (20:14)
- I. Allegretto (8:09)
- II. Adagio (6:32)
- III. Allegro (5:33)
First Recordings
MusicWeb International :
‘What will not be in question for anyone who listens to this CD is the value of Sohal’s contributions to the genre. […]
The Quartet No. 1 [is] a wholly accomplished work. […]
If one of the reasons Sohal didn’t go on to write a sixth quartet was because he felt he had said all he had to say about the genre, one could understand that after listening to this mesmerising conclusion.
The Piatti Quartet […] steps effortlessly into this very different music. I can think of no higher compliment than to say that their profound musicianship and selfless playing allow these elemental, radiant and intense works to speak directly to the listener in the most rewarding way possible. They deserve our heartfelt gratitude for their advocacy and the all-round excellence of their playing.
I should add that the recorded sound on the new album is really good: warm and clear with resonance perfectly judged. The booklet notes by Suddhaseel Sen, Janet Swinney and Utsyo Chakraborty are exemplary.’
—Dominic Hartley, MusicWeb International