(http://www.usc.edu/dept/polish_music/composer/meyerbw.jpg) (http://www.polmic.pl/foto/MeyerKrzysztof.jpg)
One of my favorite composers, though definitely a lesser known one. He has been recorded quite a lot, though, especially by the German label ProViva (I'm trying to hunt some of those discs down but am starting to lose hope...).
A very good friend of Dmitri Shostakovitch, he wrote a thick book about him (I've never read it though, and someone on the old GMG spoke disparagingly of it). He writes a lot of chamber music, usually quite excellent (many of his String Quartets have received prizes at international competitions).
He studied with Stanisław Wiechowicz, then with Krzysztof Penderecki. Then with Nadia Boulanger. He has been living in Cologne since 1987. He is also a musicologist (two books about Shostakovitch, a book about Lutosławski, many articles on various musical subjects).
As Murellet recently mentioned somewhere else on GMG, anyone who loves the chamber music of Shostakovitch should definitely get to know the chamber music of Krzysztof Meyer.
His orchestral scores are also excellent, with lots of energy and colour. Though he is not exactly a polystylist, he has also written a Symphony in Mozart's Style, a piece called Hommage a Brahms, and another called Caro Luigi (the Luigi in question is Boccherini). While obviously these do not stand at the center of his output, they are good evidence of craftsmanship of the highest order.
He definitely deserves to be known better. Personally, I rank him higher than Penderecki or Górecki, almost on the same level as Lutosławski in fact!
Wonder if he has any other fans out there?
Maciek
Me, I'm a fan! :D
Though I know none of those "hommage" pieces you mentioned, I do know his
Concerto retro, a neo-baroque concerto which is quite interesting.
That piece is on this CD (gotta love Acte Préalable):
(http://www.kmt.pl/foto/APR/AP0076.jpg) (http://www.acteprealable.com/albums/ap0076.html)
... which also has his amazing Solo Flute Sonata -- a piece I never get tired of. It is like one of Elliott Carter's virtuosic solo wind pieces I think, with a lot of cool effects, but also very intricate and lyrical. (And a lot of fun).
That CD also has his jazzy-sounding 12-tone Piano Sonata, and the 16th string quartet entitled "Au-delà d’une absence".. here is an explantion from the composer:
Quote
Shostakovich planned the composition of 24 string quartets in all keys. He did not, however, manage to realise his plan entirely. Nevertheless, the 15 works of this genre that he did compose represent one of the most important chapters of twentieth-century chamber music.
When I visited the composer, who had meanwhile become seriously ill, in Moscow in the spring of 1974 for the last time, I asked him a question – possibly an inappropriate one in this case: “And when will the 15th String Quartet come? Is it possibly already being written?” “No, there is nothing like that,” replied Shostakovich, “I haven’t written down anything yet…” And as if to justify himself, he added: “I was ill, after all… but I’ll write it, I’ll surely write it. You know, I even have two new quartets in my head. The next one will be an adagio – a single large adagio, maybe a grave… in one movement. And the 16th will be in three parts, with a fugue in the finale, you understand, with a double fugue. The second movement, very lyrical…”
The 15th String Quartet appeared shortly thereafter, completely in the tempo of adagio. Shostakovich did depart from his original idea in that he chose a six-part form instead of a single movement. But he retained the existing tonal plan with the key of E-flat minor. Concerning the work’s successor, which probably was to have been written in B major, he made the following statement in the presence of Dmitri Tsyganov, the first violinist of the Beethoven Quartet: “I decided to write the 16th Quartet and to dedicate it to you, the Beethoven Quartet, with your new personnel.” (D. Tsyganov, Polveka vmeste in: Sovietskaya Muzyka 9/1976, p. 31)
This was not to be. In this respect, Au-delà d’une absence represents an imaginary continuation of Shostakovich’s cycle and is my bow before the great composer. In writing it, I submitted myself entirely to his style without, however, quoting from his works. The world premiere took place on 5 June 1998 in Hamburg, performed by the French-Belgian Quatuor Danel.
In harmony with Shostakovich’s intention, the String Quartet consists of three movements. The first, a sonata movement, is based on two themes: the first is dramatic, the second contains lyrical elements. I had Shostakovich’s words in mind the whole time whilst composing the melodic, very cantabile second movement. The third movement, a double fugue, ensues without a break. An epilogue follows as a kind of post scriptum. The work concludes in pianissimo, as do most of Shostakovich’s quartets.
(Krzysztof Meyer)
(Source URL (http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:tPyLffMXF7IJ:www.sikorski.de/catalogue/druckausgaben_single.php%3Flang%3Den%26anr%3D11491000+au+dela+d%27une+absence&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&client=opera))
I don't enjoy the quartet THAT much but I've only heard it 2 or 3 times, and never concentrating...
It isn't that easy to hear all of Meyer's other quartets, and the only other one I know on disc is No. 8 -- a dark and in places very aggressive work, on this DAFO Quartet CD:
(http://cover6.cduniverse.com/MuzeAudioArt/450/457346.jpg) (http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/3924318/a/Penderecki,+Baird,+et+al:+Music+for+String+Quartet+%2F+Dafo.htm)
Oh wait -- there are more on Acte Préalable, for example 10 and 11. I must order those then.
(But SQ No. 3 I have only in a mp3 of unknown origin.)
I also love Meyer's Piano Concerto (and I'm sure I've mentioned it on the old forum so this is going to sound very repetitive). It is a very powerful piece, with a weird little jazz-like 2nd movement, and a racuous blaring sort of fanfare orchestral conclusion against complex and wild piano writing. It is very cool, one of my favorite recent piano concerti !!
(It is on a Koch disc along with Musica Incrostata, but I can't find a link; probably OOP).
One more thing: I've always wanted to hear his sonorist opera "Cyberiada", based on the book by Stanisław Lem -- imagine, a sci-fi topic opera written in an early-Penderecki-like style! At least that's how I imagine it. It hasn't been recorded though, unless I'm wrong. Does anyone have a bootleg copy of some kind ? :)
That Piano Concerto disc is still available at BRO (for $ 6.99). That's actually where I got it (prior to that I only had a radio recording).
On CD I have Quartets 3-6, 11, 12, the Clarinet Quintet, Piano Quintet, Sonata for violin solo, Canzona for cello and piano, Piano Concerto, Musica incrostata, and Violin Concerto No. 2. I also have some sheet music (Quartets 3, 4, 7, Musica incrostata, Sonata for harpsichord) and loads and loads of radio recordings (including the stuff mentioned in my first post and that Sonata for flute solo - an amazing piece indeed!). Still don't have the 2 Acte Préalable CDs though.
If anyone's rich enough, amazon.de and jpc.de have many of those ProViva CDs but they are around 20 euros each :o :o!
Forgot to mention one piece on that CD recordings list: the Concerto da camera for harp, cello and string orchestra op. 64. Excellent piece. Comes on this CD:
(http://www.merlin.com.pl/images_product/20/PRCD085-2.jpg) (http://www.merlin.com.pl/frontend/browse/product/4,375789.html)
(PRCD 085, "Amadeus" Chamber Orchestra of the Polish Radio/Agnieszka Duczmal, vol. 2)
BTW, this is a really fantastic series, I already have 5 volumes - the performances are all top-notch. In time, I'm hoping to get all 11 of them.
Maciek
I've only tracked down the Toccata appassionata for piano: he seems to be in the post-Schoenbergian expressionist camp, and bracketted off from other developments, along with the likes of Hartmann (or Bredemeyer or Goldmann or Goeyvaerts)...
Can't really say I know what you mean... ???
Hi MrOsa, well I'm not really into the moody Kafkaesque world of the expressionists (Matthus another one, and Frankel) who remain interested in free atonal techniques and that eerie feel of some of the SVS works- just seems a bit out of date, and a bit self-regarding. However it's only one short piece by Meyer I've tried...
I am extremely intriqued to learn of the existence of his piece for 3 cellos, timpani and piano:
QuoteMusic for Three Cellos, Timpani and Piano (1961-1962) is a three-movement work from
Meyer's early period. All three movements are moderately slow, and the character of the music alternates between dark, meditative moods and aggressive interpolations, underlining both the homogenous and contrasting potential of this unconventional ensemble. The mood of the set of four timpani (tuned for the entire work to E, G, A-flat, and C ) is always dark, set in a low register, while the three cellos use a wide range to perform mostly mysterious tones, sometimes with no vibrato or with mute, occasionally participating in orchestral-like climaxes with a passionate fortissimo. Rhythmic pulsation and metric complexity with irregular inner construction of measures and frequent changes of meter give a special character to this piece. The piano part is technically easy; there are no challenges in the traditional understanding of manual pianistic technique. The piano functions mainly as an ensemble instrument in this work, far from a concertante concept. It contains several soloistic passages (mostly octaves in both
hands) while the rest of the piano part rhythmically supports the timpani, or provides the harmonic foundation through sustained chords for both timpani and cellos. The metric and rhythmic character of the piece, however, causes difficulties in understanding the musical structure and requires a pianist with ensemble experience.
(thats from this website: http://etd.lib.fsu.edu/theses/available/etd-04102004-130053/unrestricted/Sobkowskatreatise.pdf)
Anyone ever heard this piece?
I regret to say I never have. But now I really want to. Let me know when (and if) you get it!
(BTW, my goodness, what a way to get a PhD! :o)
Yeah I know!
Krzysztof Meyer - Fire Balls (1976). The piece is for symphony orchestra minus woodwinds. Meyer is not really a "heavy" composer. Some of his stuff is outright facetious (Caro Luigi, Symphony in the style of Mozart). This piece is somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. It's not a postmodern joke of any sort but it's still much lighter and more dynamic than many of his other pieces. IMO.
Thanks, Maciek, these 3 works will neatly fit on an all-Meyer disc :D!
Maciek, I posted earlier in this thread but now realize I was confusing the present composer with Ernst Meyer (1905-88), sorry about that. I've just downloaded the Fifth symphony though and look forward to giving it a few playings. Grove says Lutoslawski & Penderecki are influences...
Just been listening to this symphony for strings- I thought at first it was a little amaturish with some ideas and progressions I'd heard a few times before, but no this is the work of a quite serious mind and from a tonal background that warms to repeated listening: there's also an unusually persuasive mysteriousness and intrigue to the slow movement; some of it reminds me of Gloria Coates's sinuisms but also of Szymanski and his striking if youthful seriousness and intelligence. I like it.
Seriously though don't you think there's something very very tragic, faded and odd about this whole post-romantic, post-tonal, post-everything reappraisal that such neo tonalists go for?? Art music is tonality, no doubt about it, but there's something so wistful, and false, about it...
Mov four is more Webernian though.
Hi Sean!
Well, frankly, I don't know exactly what you mean. "Neo tonalism" is a rather crude generalization that doesn't really say anything. In what way exactly do you find Meyer's music "tonal"?
And "tragic, odd and faded" can all be compliments when applied to music - as long as those are the effects the composer strived for...
As for "wistful, and false", well, I don't hear anything like that there but then I wouldn't really know what to listen for. You'd have to give examples from older times, a Beethoven quartet that's "false" or something like that...?
Well I believe it has a recognizable tonal background, though with plenty of chromatic intrigue: the problem is that composers have explored tonality, explored what lies beyond it (nothing) and kind of drifted back again, which isn't kind-of inspiring...
Lutoslawski is beyond tonality. I wouldn't say that it was nothing. Dutilleux alternates between quasi tonality, modality and atonality, and his music isn't nothing. Messiaen is beyond conventional tonality. What was Lutoslawski producing if it was not art music?
Dutilleux and Lutoslawski are problematic figures. The whole background to Messiaen's world by contrast is tonal, in a deep and musical sense that eludes most of his comtemporaries: for all his outrageous eclecticism the music makes logical tonal sense. Few others have achieved this, instead sliding into intellectual contrivances.
Problematic figures in terms of whther their music is truly great or not, or problematic for your theory? Messiaen's music does indeed make great logical sense, but parts of it are far from conventional major/minor tonality. When you say it makes logical tonal sense, do you mean because it refers back to conventional major/minal tonailty? The scales are very intellectually contrived, as are the non retrogradable rhythms, and the modes all contain mathematical symmetry. The resulting music is still very sensuous and emotional of course, but there is alot of intellectual theoty behind it.
Ligeti? He is another great.
Is what you object to serialism, or is it 'atonality'? Because I think that tonality and atonality are just degrees on a scale.
Guido, if you can hear the sense, the intuitive rightness, in Messiaen's music you know what I'm saying here. His whole cocktail of ingredients is streamlined under tonal principles: he doesn't violate our understanding of consonance and dissonance; as with Debussy, tonality is explored in extraordinary ways, but not abandoned. His only two minor efforts with 12 tone composition are the piano etude that Boulez et al developed into total serialism and the Livre d'orgue, and both retain his own strong character.
Quote from: Sean on July 23, 2007, 07:38:19 AM
Just been listening to this symphony for strings- I thought at first it was a little amaturish with some ideas and progressions I'd heard a few times before, but no this is the work of a quite serious mind and from a tonal background that warms to repeated listening: there's also an unusually persuasive mysteriousness and intrigue to the slow movement; some of it reminds me of Gloria Coates's sinuisms but also of Szymanski and his striking if youthful seriousness and intelligence. I like it.
I was also reminded of Gloria Coates's sinuisms ...........
Yes, the affinity is quite striking.
Now this looks really, really good:
(http://www.dux.pl/upload/obrazki/okladki/0594_mini.jpg) (http://www.dux.pl/wyszukiwanie_pelne/wyniki/podglad/?pid=284)
DUX have just released a disc of Meyer's concertos: Clarinet Concerto (with Eduard Brunnel), 2nd Violin Concerto (with Magdalena Rezler) and 2nd Cello Concerto (with Boris Pergamenschikov).
I think I also failed to mention before the new Acte Préalable disc:
(http://www.acteprealable.com/albums/cover/ap0146.jpg) (http://www.acteprealable.com/albums/ap0146.html)
It's the Wilanów Quartet playing Meyer's SQs nos 11 and 12 + the String Trio. The Wilanów Quartet are the same people who used to record his earlier quartets for the German label ProViva - one of the best Polish quartets. It was definitely the best until the Silesian appeared, and I believe the competition between the two is still quite tough - judging which one is ultimately better would have to be a matter of taste.
Quote from: Maciek on February 08, 2008, 04:52:56 AM
Now this looks really, really good:
ooooooohhh yes, that looks pretty tasty.
Just a little barbecue sauce on the side, and it'd be perfect.
Is SQ 12 his latest?
Quote from: GGGGRRREEG on February 08, 2008, 05:11:05 AM
Is SQ 12 his latest?
I think so. It's from 2005 (his op. 103).
And a really great work. How do the Wilanow compare with the Wienawskis, Maciek ?
I don't have the one with the Wilanow Quartet. But chances are it's better. The Wieniawski is more of a "local" quartet, even by Polish standards ;D. I'm not saying they're bad but certainly their reputation is nowhere near that of the Wilanow.
But of course, this is all hearsay, since I don't have the other recording to give it an aural comparison... 0:)
Meyer's Cello Concerto No.2, Violin Concerto No.2 and Clarinet Concerto have been released on a Dux cd.
There is a good review on Musicweb-
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2008/Sept08/Meyer_dux0594.htm
Are you familiar with these pieces, Maciek, and would you too recommend them? They certainly sound interesting!
I still haven't bought that disc. But I would certainly recommend anything by Meyer (I think I have actually heard one or two of those concertos on the radio). He's definitely one of the finest Polish composers alive today. And I don't mean that in a "he's one of the best 50" way. Rather, in a "one of the best 2 or 3" way. (In fact, I can only think of one other composer I would recommend as highly. It's Pawel Szymanski, of course. ;D)
Of all the contemporary polish composers I've heard, my hunch is that Meyer is the one with the most staying power. I look forward to hearin these concertos. I still have to listen to the VC no. 2 and a couple of chamber music works. Will report ;)
Not sure how I managed to miss this but there's a relatively new (Sept. 09) Naxos CD out with three of Meyer's String Quartets! (nos 5, 6 and 8)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RF9h4ZOiL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
I was wondering what you thought of it, Maciek? I had it in my hands this weekend, then figured I had them all (thanks to you ;)), but still, Meyer is certainly one of the most important musical figures post 1950, so it might be of interest to compare various approaches. Waiting for your comment!
Well, I only noticed its existence (quite accidentally) yesterday, so I haven't got it yet. 0:)
I'll be looking forward to what you have to say, also, Maciek. The 8th quartet would be a new one for me. :)
I have the Dafo No.8. It's like 5-6 mvmts., with titles like "Drammatico", etc. I would simply call it neo-Romantic. I was a bit disappointed
I do like more Meyer's No.3, with the Wilanow, I believe. Written in 1971, it has a different sound altogether as far as I'm concerned. Three, anonymous mvmts., slightly late-DSCH, but very individual, experimental (but without Penderecki sounds). Kind of sounds like the kind of Stravinsky memorial I like.
Many composers from this generation, and slightly before, seemed to me sometimes to get kind of neo-Romantic in the late '80s-'90s. I seem to prefer this generation's early to mid works, rather than the somewhat smoother sounding later works (perhaps Penderecki is a leader here? I don'tknow).
Any more in depth analysis of some individual SQs out there by anyone?
snyprrr, you can't seriously call yourself a string quartet aficionado, unless you try some more Meyer! >:D As far as cycles go, his is definitely the most substantial and important in Polish 20th c./contemporary music. Except maybe for Bacewicz, but I'm not even sure of that - OK, let's say they're equally important.
Quote from: Maciek on December 17, 2009, 04:21:23 AM
snyprrr, you can't seriously call yourself a string quartet aficionado, unless you try some Meyer! >:D As far as cycles go, his is definitely the most substantial and immoreportant in Polish 20th c./contemporary music. Except maybe for Bacewicz, but I'm not even sure of that - OK, let's say they're equally important.
:o :o :o
Does "size" really matter? :D
I am fully ready for a blow by blow (no pun, haha):
No.1: (insert Maciek commentary)
No2:
No.3: *
No.4:
No.5:
No.6:
No.7:
No.8: *
No.9:
No.10:
No.11:
String Trio:
Piano Quintet (?):
Go for it! Feel free to regale me, haha! 8)
I think you should buy a whole bunch of Polish-only type stuff and open up "Maciek's Polish Avant Garde (String Quartet) Store".
ok, other stuff, too!
(I'd be really interested in the rest of his '70s SQs 4?,5?,6?...)
Hey, you're the sq aficionado! ;D I haven't even heard all of Meyer's quartets (4 to go). :P But I have it on good authority that his is the most important cycle (not that Poland is the greatest chamber music empire in the world, I'll grant you that). And judging by the ones I know, that's probably true.
The problem, I'm sure you've already noticed, is that they are almost all out of print. And the used copies usually go for 100$ OR MORE!!! :o :o :o (Are people actually insane/or rich enough to pay that much?) Now even I would have to say it's not worth it. Lets wait for Brilliant to release the whole box... ;D
In the meantime, to update your list: >:D
SQ no. 12
the Piano Trio (supposedly his greatest chamber music work - I'm yet to hear it)
the Clarinet Quintet
The general trend is: early = avant garde, later = more in Meyer's individual idiom (and he really works hard on the theoretical side of his composing!) = a sort of Shostakovich meets Lutoslawski style (with a lot of Meyer's own as well).
I've taken to Meyer like no other polish composer, esp. on account of his chamber music - a very rare occurence for someone who is naturally 'tuned' to orchestral works $:). I, too am missing on 4 SQ from Meyer, thanks to Maciek - well, not for the missing ones, but those I do know ;D.
I don't know for others, but I find as much emotional substance and sheer craftsmanship in his chamber works as I do those of other great 20th century SQ 'half-dozen+ SQ' composers such as Milhaud, Villa-Lobos, Weinberg, Jones, Schafer or Shebalin (I haven't heard enough Rosenberg or . He has definitely more variety and a larger emotional scope than Gorecki - although we're talking of a special case indeed.
It may even be that in time, when I know all his SQs and have lived with them a few years, I might put them on the same level as the acknowledged masterworks in the genre, namely the Bartok and Shostakovich cycles.
PS. the Clarinet Quintet is indeed a really important work.
Quote from: Maciek on February 08, 2008, 07:22:07 AM
Quote from: Greg on February 08, 2008, 05:11:05 AM
Is SQ 12 his latest?
I think so. It's from 2005 (his op. 103).
Now, what does that exchange prove? That I don't re-read these threads often enough. Because one page earlier it is clearly stated:
Quote from: Xantus' Murrelet on April 16, 2007, 05:22:43 PM
(http://www.kmt.pl/foto/APR/AP0076.jpg) (http://www.acteprealable.com/albums/ap0076.html)
...
That CD also has his jazzy-sounding 12-tone Piano Sonata, and the 16th string quartet entitled "Au-delà d’une absence"..
So, snyprrr, clearly, your list needs to be updated even further (and my shopping list has to somehow include the unrecorded 13th-15th + the 16th ::)).
QuoteHey, you're the sq aficionado! I haven't even heard all of Meyer's quartets (4 to go). But I have it on good authority that his is the most important cycle (not that Poland is the greatest chamber music empire in the world, I'll grant you that). And judging by the ones I know, that's probably true.
I'm not sure I'd go quite that far.
Firstly, you'd have to like late contemporary classical music to appreciate Meyer. That is - if you don't like Shostakovich, there is no way you would like Meyer.
Meyer bases several of his quartets as if he was Shostakovich' spiritual successor. These ones are very interesting for contemporary listeners. His musical language is interesting; it is more refined than say, Krauze, Baird or Kilar, however it's easy to find that they all blend into a kind of samey-ness, without any individual quartet standing out in distinction.
Slowinski's emerging body of string quartets are worth while discovering if you like Meyer. I think I like Slowinski as much as Meyer, although Poland still has a legacy, a bit like France, where composers have penned epic string quartets in ones or twos (Szymanowski; Bacewicz's 4th/5th; Knapik's single string quartet; Gorecki's Quasi una Fantasia and Already it is Dusk (his 3rd one isn't quite there yet), as well as ones or twos from Zielenski; Noskowski, Dobrynzski etc.
As far I last counted, Meyer was heading towards 18 or 19 string quartets, and I only have about 9 of them, all scattered on different albums - the best ones done by the Wilanow Quartet, and some decent performances by the Wienawski Quartet on Naxos. They aren't available on a single CD box set cycle yet.
Bump.
For me, Meyer's quartets are among the first tier of the 20th century string quartets (composers who have written five or more): Bartok, Shostakovich, Weinberg, Carter and Meyer. I need to update my list and reconsider Rihm, Dusapin, Ferneyhough (and no doubt others from the second half of the 20th C.), I know I am forgetting some major composers who have devoted a significant portion of their work to the string quartet.
I have not heard much else of Meyer's music, but if it is of the same quality as the string quartets, he will make it onto my list of favorite composers.
Quote from: sanantonio on February 17, 2014, 04:25:15 AM
Bump.
For me, Meyer's quartets are among the first tier of the 20th century string quartets (composers who have written five or more): Bartok, Shostakovich, Weinberg, Carter and Meyer. I need to update my list and reconsider Rihm, Dusapin, Ferneyhough (and no doubt others from the second half of the 20th C.), I know I am forgetting some major composers who have devoted a significant portion of their work to the string quartet.
I have not heard much else of Meyer's music, but if it is of the same quality as the string quartets, he will make it onto my list of favorite composers.
Naxos or the Cycle on some Russian label? I beleieve I have Nos. 3 and 8 on 'various' discs... sure, I'd love to hear them all. What can you tell me?
*dusts down the thread*
I discovered Meyer's music late last year and I'm returning to it now, currently listening to the 8th String Quartet. I also just noticed that Quartets 14 & 15 are released on the Dux label to complement Naxos' cycle of the first 13 quartets, thus making the cycle up-to-date.
Quote from: Maestro267 on July 11, 2023, 12:54:19 PM*dusts down the thread*
I discovered Meyer's music late last year and I'm returning to it now, currently listening to the 8th String Quartet. I also just noticed that Quartets 14 & 15 are released on the Dux label to complement Naxos' cycle of the first 13 quartets, thus making the cycle up-to-date.
Agreed...he is an impressive composer.
I have one CD of his, with the 5th, 6th and 8th SQs on Naxos. Seeing this thread has reminded me to give it a listen again, so I will hear one of them in the morning.
I am pleased to learn that the Wieniawski String Quartet has just released Meyer's quartets nos. 14 (2014) and 15 (2017). [For some reason they also included no. 13 despite having previously released it on Naxos, and judging by the timings, it is not a newer performance.]
(https://i.postimg.cc/zBmn8rhQ/Screen-Shot-2023-07-12-at-5-47-35-AM.png)
I've just only heard the first few minutes of 14 (so far, very good), so I don't have any comments to make - but this is very good news since I've been waiting for these to come out since I first learned of their existence.
I checked up yesterday, learning he was still with us and assuming he'd kept composing since Quartet 13 came out.