Englund Piano Quintet/String Quartet-BIS
I was hoping for a dark and stormy night to inaugurate this cd, but that didn't happen, so I just cranked up the a.c. and pitched a tent under my covers (no, not that kind of tent!).
I came at the SQ (1985) as the long awaited answer to Sibelius' SQ (1909), as the modern nordic SQ. High expectations, yes, but hey, why not? One thing I can say is that this SQ sounded just like (?) I imagined a 1985 SQ by Englund would sound (though I've not heard note one from this composer). Does that mean it's Shosty's nephew? No, not really, though there are reminders of Bloch. Like I said, the SQ sounded just as would have imagined (though, thankfully, there were surprises). Perhaps I should say that it exceeded my expectations (which, like I said, were high). Perhaps I can't give these pieces my "instant, unqualified masterpiece" certificate, but perhaps, that is a good thing and a testament to the elusive quality of Englund's inspiration.
It is in the four regular mvmts. It opens in enigmatic fashion, with wisps of chromatic melody gathering energy for a wintery Moderato (reminders of Grieg string music; late Bartok). This is followed by a more energetic Valse. allegro moderato, an Adagio, and a Tema con variazioni. allegretto.
The whole SQ flies by (25min). Dark green/light grey was the color I saw most: a snowless wintery landscape, quiet, with that "long ago" feeling (though not quite Myaskovskian nostalgia). Even the "summer" moments had a cloudy day feel to them. Perhaps the strange tree collage on the cd cover (very difficult to make out) perfectly illustrates the mood contained here. I am finding it difficult to put into words the exact "mood" this SQ exudes, but I suppose if Brahms was 88 and lived in the tundra... the emotions here are subdued, every note chosen. In a way, it reminds me of DSCH No.8, but without the violence and utter darkness. I was surprised how intimate this SQ is. I have a feeling I will be listening to this a lot come those deep winter nights with a pale moon.