Notes and Editorial Reviews
QUELL
Ekstare. Temps et couleurs I
1.
String Trio, “Le Son d’un monde secret et couvert.”
_Anisotropie-[vier] [aggregat]-zustände. Anchronon
1,2.
_Anamorphosis II-[Polymorphia]
•
Jürgen Ruck (gtr);
1
Olivia Steinmel (acc);
2
Alistair, Zaldua, cond.; Aventure Ens
•
NEOS
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11046 (66:54)
German composer Michael Quell (b.1960) has devised a methodology, apparently based upon philosophical beliefs involving existence, the complex and variable nature of relationships, and seemingly infinite states of perception, that allows him to manipulate a wider-than-usual range of sounds in meticulous, albeit unconventional, ways. He often involves micro-intervals of various degrees, which emphasize the blending and contrast of unusual tonal colors, and uses speed (not merely tempo fluctuations, but exaggerated phrasing and durations) to affect the density and internal tension of his music in ways somewhat reminiscent of Elliott Carter. For the most part, the instruments in these chamber pieces exhibit their own individual characteristics, and attempt to co-exist—if not necessarily always in agreement—with their partners in an unsettled environment. For example, the accordion and guitar in
Achronon
(2008–09) and flute and guitar in
Temps et couleurs I
(1995) include microtones in their vocabulary along with a “micro-polyphonic compositional technique” that translates into contrasts of nearly static, sparse interplay with agitated, dense activity; at times in the earlier work there’s a resemblance to Japanese or Korean music (the flute as shakuhachi or piri, the guitar as koto or kayagum), but there’s also little if any audible evidence that the piece is a distortion of a medieval hymn until it briefly appears in its natural state toward the end.
The String Trio, “Le Son d’un monde secret et couvert” (1994), features compressed details, sharp attacks, and a bristling texture as the three parts overlap, collide, and separate. Similar inter-ensemble activity motivates
Ekstare
(1988–90, for flute, oboe, violin, viola, and cello) and
Anamorphosis II [Polymorphia]
(2002–03, for chamber ensemble), but their expanded tonal palettes incite a more attractive and surprising surge of details. Limited to the sonorities of a piano,
Anisotropie—[vier] [aggregat]—zustände
(2001) employs rapid figuration, silence and resonance, and inside-the-piano and percussive effects to suggest a sequence of relationships associated on a molecular level.
The members of Ensemble Aventure are experienced in all manner of modern and contemporary music, and they are strong and persuasive advocates for Quell’s complex, ear-catching scores.
FANFARE: Art Lange
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Works on This Recording
1.
Ekstare, for flute, oboe, violin, viola & cello by Michael Quell
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Ensemble Aventure (Germany)
Period: Contemporary
Written: 1988-1990
Venue: Elisabeth Schneider Stiftung Freiburg
Length: 7 Minutes 13 Secs.
2.
Temps et couleurs 1, for flute & guitar by Michael Quell
Performer:
Jürgen Ruck (Guitar),
Martina Roth (Flute)
Period: Contemporary
Written: 1995
Venue: Elisabeth Schneider Stiftung Freiburg
Length: 12 Minutes 52 Secs.
3.
Streichtrio ("Le son d'un monde secret et couvert"), for violin, viola & cello by Michael Quell
Performer:
Beverley Ellis (Cello),
Jessica Rona (Viola),
Friedemann Treiber (Violin)
Period: Contemporary
Written: 1994
Venue: Elisabeth Schneider Stiftung Freiburg
Length: 8 Minutes 59 Secs.
4.
anisotropie - (vier) (aggregat) -zustände, for piano by Michael Quell
Performer:
Akiko Okabe (Piano)
Period: Contemporary
Written: 2001
Date of Recording: 05/04/2009
Venue: Schloßbergsaal, SWR-Studio Freiburg
Length: 12 Minutes 8 Secs.
5.
Achronon, for accordion & guitar by Michael Quell
Performer:
Jürgen Ruck (Guitar),
Olivia Steimel (Accordion)
Period: Contemporary
Written: 2008-2009
Date of Recording: 08/14/2010
Venue: Konzertsaal, Musikhochschule Würzburg
Length: 11 Minutes 5 Secs.
6.
Anamorphosis 2 (-Polymorphia), for ensemble in various spatial constellations (Version A) by Michael Quell
Conductor:
Alistair Zaluda
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Ensemble Aventure (Germany)
Period: Contemporary
Written: 2002-2003
Venue: Elisabeth Schneider Stiftung Freiburg
Length: 12 Minutes 28 Secs.
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