String Quartets

Kamus Quartet · Seppo Pohjola

2010 · ABCD 334

Credits

Performers: Kamus Quartet
Composers: Seppo Pohjola

About this release

Seppo Pohjola (b. 1965)
String Quartets
String Quartets 1-4
The Kamus Quartet
Terhi Paldanius violin
Jukka Untamala violin
Jussi Tuhkanen viola
Petja Kainulainen cello
Seppo Pohjola's string quartets 1-4 as world premiere recordings
Seppo Pohjola's composition disc features string quartets 1-4 created between 1990-2006:
• Pohjola initially emerged as a harsh modernist, a good example of which is the first string quartet from 1990-1991. Pohjola himself later counted this as his real debut as a composer.
• The second string quartet from 1995 also includes some other, softer material, which, however, does not gain a dominant position. The composer says that this was the last work before the transition phase.
• String Quartet No. 3 is from 2000, and it is a representative sample of a new, freer stylistic attitude.
• Jouni Kaipainen describes the fourth quartet: The unspokenness of the dramaturgy and the versatility of the composition of different types of textures make the fourth string quartet one of its author's main works and a landmark in Finnish quartet music.
As a brilliant interpreter of Pohjola's works, the young, successful Kamus quartet can be heard on their debut album, which also engages in as active and versatile concert activity as possible.

Tracks

String Quartet No. 1 (1990-1991)
1.Icomp. Seppo Pohjola (b.1965)ISRC FIABA11005582:10
2.IIcomp. Seppo Pohjola (b.1965)ISRC FIABA11005591:33
3.IIIcomp. Seppo Pohjola (b.1965)ISRC FIABA11005601:55
4.String Quartet No. 2 (1995)comp. Seppo PohjolaISRC FIABA110056115:28
5.String Quartet No. 3 (2000)comp. Seppo PohjolaISRC FIABA110056215:04
String Quartet No. 4 (2006)
6.Part Icomp. Seppo PohjolaISRC FIABA110056319:14
7.Part IIcomp. Seppo PohjolaISRC FIABA110056413:45

Reviews

Obviously Pohjola is a major figure on the contemporary scene, and this superb SACD should help acquaint audiences with his work.
ClassicalCDReview.com · Robert Benson · September 5, 2012
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These sketches are salvaged in what comes across as an attempt at a stream-ofconsciousness 15-minute experiment, interesting but not especially convincing.
American Record Guide · Allen Gimbel · January 28, 2013
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Jousikvartettojen valioita
”Seppo Pohjolan kaksi viimeistä jousikvartettoa kuuluvat lajinsa valioihin. […] Kamus-kvartetin soitossa on oikeata keveyttä, reipasta revittelyä ja puikahtelevaa rytmisyyttä.”
Jukka
Helsingin Sanomat · Jukka Isopuro
Nuori Kamus-kvartetti loistaa Seppo Pohjolan parissa
”Kamus-kvartetti on levyttänyt hienot tulkinnat Seppo Pohjolan neljästä jousikvartetosta. […] Kamus-kvartetti selviää vaikeasta tekstuurista leikiten. Sen soitto kilpailee maamme parhaiden kvartettien parissa – soinnin samettisen puolen nostan Suomen mestariksi.”
Janne
YLE Uudet levyt · Janne Koskinen
It seems that Seppo Pohjola might become another Alba house
composer. This disc is the fourth released by Alba and entirely
devoted to his music. In the meantime the label has just released
yet another disc with his two symphonies: ABCD
339 .
Pohjola's varied output includes three symphonies and four string
quartets so far.
Arvio/Review: MusicWeb International
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