25 Years: Retrospective [Box set]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Seems like only yesterday the Kronos Quartet stepped up their career as musical mavericks with a coveted, wide-open contract with Nonesuch Records. Now it's Nonesuch's turn to give Kronos the big-package nod, gathering key works recorded by the group--from younger composers and time-tested veterans alike--into this 10-CD box set. As one might expect, the set is stuffed with contrasts, from the first CD, with its 11-part, upstepping John Adams suite and then the far more solemn Missa Syllabica from Arvo Pärt. Nearly 20 of these pieces here were composed expressly for Kronos, pitched and sculpted for their easily-racked mixture of straightforward string quartet roles and intelligently restructured approaches to the even the simplest gestures. Perhaps most key here is George Crumb's Black Angels, in large part due to Crumb's role in inspiring David Harrington to form Kronos 25 years ago. Crumb's music spirals and chases through the air, engaging high pitches and fast pacings as if they were ends in themselves. Gone from this set are most of the short snippets that have filled some of Kronos's other fine single CD recordings. In abundance instead are some of the legendary works: Morton Feldman's long, endlessly patient Piano and String Quartet (with Aki Takahashi), Steve Reich's unnerving Different Trains, and Henryk Górecki's String Quartets Nos. 1 and 2. There are also some of the astounding Eastern European works from Night Prayers as well, including the stunning Quartet No. 4 from Sofia Gubaidulina. And of course there are the Kronos biggie pieces: Philip Glass's works fill one CD, and so do Terry Riley's. What's more, Riley's Cadenza on the Night Plain and "G Song" are presented here in entirely fresh, new recordings. What the listener gets is a huge block of music, full of shifting colors and textures but perfectly apt in giving a wide-angle vantage on what Kronos has done for contemporary music. --Andrew Bartlett

Los Angeles Times
[This box set] does an impressive job of documenting the group's history while also doing justice to a wide range of musical styles of the last quarter of the 20th century.

25 Years: Retrospective [Box set]

25 Years: Retrospective, Music, Suzanne Elder, Paul Hillier, David Krakauer, John Adams, Franguiz Ali-Zadeh, Ken Benshoof, George Crumb, Morton Feldman, Philip Glass, Osvaldo Golijov, Henryk Gorecki, Sofiya Gubaydulina, Arvo Part, P. Q. Phan, Astor Piazzolla, Steve Reich, Terry Riley, Alfred Schnittke, Peter Sculthorpe, Kevin Volans, Aki Takahashi, Ellen L. Hargis, Neal Rogers, Avant-Garde, Box Sets (Audio Only), Chamber, Chamber Music, Chamber Music & Recitals, Choral, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Concerto, Four String Instrument with Keyboard/Continuo, Miscellaneous Music, Mixed Chamber Ensemble with Keyboard, Modern Composition, Modern Mass, Music For String Orchestra, Music for String Quartet with Other Instrument(s), Music for Tape/Electronics and Live Performer(s), Orchestral, Quartet for Four String Instruments
25 Years: Retrospective
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A worthwhile investment
  • Excelent compilation!
  • Amazingly Now Retrospective
  • How Could You Not Listen?
  • Good for help to know up-to-date contemporaly music
 25 Years: Retrospective
Suzanne Elder , Paul Hillier , David Krakauer , John Adams , Franguiz Ali-Zadeh , Ken Benshoof , George Crumb , Morton Feldman , Philip Glass , Osvaldo Golijov , Henryk Gorecki , Sofiya Gubaydulina , Arvo Part , P. Q. Phan , Astor Piazzolla , Steve Reich , Terry Riley , Alfred Schnittke , Peter Sculthorpe , Kevin Volans , Aki Takahashi , Ellen L. Hargis , Neal Rogers , and Kronos Quartet
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by AdamsAll Works by Adams | Adams, John | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by George CrumbAll Works by George Crumb | Crumb, George | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by FeldmanAll Works by Feldman | Feldman, Morton | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Gubaidulina, SofiaGubaidulina, Sofia | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Górecki, Henryk MikolajGórecki, Henryk Mikolaj | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by GlassAll Works by Glass | Glass, Philip | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Piazzolla, AstorPiazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by PartAll Works by Part | Part, Arvo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Reich, SteveReich, Steve | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Riley, TerryRiley, Terry | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by SchnittkeAll Works by Schnittke | Schnittke, Alfred | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Kronos QuartetKronos Quartet | ( K ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
Avant Garde & Free JazzAvant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ClassicalClassical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. The John Adams Earbox: A 10-CD Retrospective
  2. Three Tales (CD & DVD)
  3. Varèse - The Complete Works / Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra · Asko Ensemble · Chailly
  4. Schnittke: Complete String Quartets
  5. Alban Berg: Lyric Suite

ASIN: B00000DD9B
Release Date: 1998-10-27

Tracks:

  1. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Judah to Ocean
  2. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Toot Nipple
  3. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Dogjam
  4. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Pavane: She's So Fine
  5. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Rag the Bone
  6. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Habanera
  7. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Stubble Crochet
  8. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Hammer & Chisel
  9. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Alligator Escalator
  10. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Standchen: The Little Serenade
  11. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Judah to Ocean (Reprise)
  12. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Fratres
  13. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Psalom
  14. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Summa
  15. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Missa Syllabica: Kyrie
  16. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Gloria
  17. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Credo
  18. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Sanctus
  19. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Agnus Dei
  20. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Ite, missa est

Tracks:

  1. Traveling Music: 1. Gentle, easy
  2. Traveling Music: 2. Moderate
  3. Traveling Music: 3. Driving
  4. Song of Twenty Shadows
  5. Five Tango Sensations: Asleep
  6. Five Tango Sensations: Loving
  7. Five Tango Sensations: Anxiety
  8. Five Tango Sensations: Despertar
  9. Five Tango Sensations: Fear
  10. Five Tango Sensations: Four, for Tango

Tracks:

  1. Piano And String Quartet (1985) - Various Artists

Tracks:

  1. Quartet # 4 (Buczak, 1989): I
  2. Quartet # 4 (Buczak, 1989): II
  3. Quartet # 4 (Buczak, 1989): III
  4. Mishima Quartet, Quartet #3 (1985): 1957 - Award Montage
  5. Mishima Quartet, Quartet #3 (1985): November 25 - Ichigaya
  6. Mishima Quartet, Quartet #3 (1985): 1934 - Grandmother and Kimitake
  7. Mishima Quartet, Quartet #3 (1985): 192 - Body Building
  8. Mishima Quartet, Quartet #3 (1985): Blood Oath
  9. Mishima Quartet, Quartet #3 (1985): Mishima/Closing
  10. Company, Quartet #2 (1983): I
  11. Company, Quartet #2 (1983): II
  12. Company, Quartet #2 (1983): III
  13. Company, Quartet #2 (1983): IV
  14. Quartet #5 (1991): I
  15. Quartet #5 (1991): II
  16. Quartet #5 (1991): III
  17. Quartet #5 (1991): IV
  18. Quartet #5 (1991): V

Tracks:

  1. The Dreams & Prayers of Isaac the Blind: Prelude: Calmo, sospeso
  2. The Dreams & Prayers of Isaac the Blind: I. Agitato - Con fucco - Maestoso - Senza misura, oscilante
  3. The Dreams & Prayers of Isaac the Blind: II. Teneramente - Ruvido - Presto
  4. The Dreams & Prayers of Isaac the Blind: III. Calmo, sospeso - Allego pesante
  5. The Dreams & Prayers of Isaac the Blind: Postlude: Lento, liberamente
  6. Quartet #4 (1993)
  7. Mugam Sayagi (1993)

Tracks:

  1. Quasi una fantasia (Quartet #2), Op.64 (1990-91): I. Largo (Sostenuto - Mesto)
  2. Quasi una fantasia (Quartet #2), Op.64 (1990-91): II. DecisoEnergico (Marcatissimo sempre)
  3. Quasi una fantasia (Quartet #2), Op.64 (1990-91): III. Arioso: Adagio cantabile
  4. Quasi una fantasia (Quartet #2), Op.64 (1990-91): IV. Allegro (Sempre con grande passione e molto marcato)
  5. Already It is Dusk (Quartet #1), Op.62 (1988)

Tracks:

  1. Different Trains: America Before The War
  2. Different Trains: Europe During The War
  3. Different Trains: America After The War
  4. Black Angels: I. Departure - 1. Thenody I: Night Of The Electric Insects - 2. Sounds Of Bones And Flutes - 3. Lost Bells - 4. Devil-Music - 5. Danse Macabre
  5. Black Angels: II. Absence - 6. Pavana Lachrymae - 7. Threnody II: Black Angels! - 8. Sarabanda de la Muerte Oscura - 9. Losts Bells (Echo)
  6. Black Angels: III. Return - 10. God Music - 11. Ancient Voices - 12. Ancient Voices (Echo) - 13. Thenody III: Night Of The Electric Insects

Tracks:

  1. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Introduction
  2. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Cadenza: Violin I
  3. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Where Was Wisdom When We Went West?
  4. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Cadenza: Viola
  5. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): March of the Old Timers Reefer Division
  6. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Cadenza: Violin II
  7. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Tuning to Rolling Thunder
  8. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): The Night Cry of Black Buffalo Woman
  9. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Cadenza: Cello
  10. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Gathering of the Spiral Clan
  11. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Captain Jack Has the Last Word
  12. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): G Song
  13. Salome Dances for Peace (1985-86) - III. The Gift: Echoes of Primordial Tim
  14. Salome Dances for Peace (1985-86) - III. The Gift: Mongolian Winds
  15. V. Good Medicine: Good Medicine Dance

Tracks:

  1. Quartet No. 2 (1981): I. Moderato
  2. Quartet No. 2 (1981): II. Agitato
  3. Quartet No. 2 (1981): III. Mesto
  4. Quartet No. 2 (1981): IV. Moderato
  5. Quartet No. 4 (1989): I. Lento
  6. Quartet No. 4 (1989): II. Allegro
  7. Quartet No. 4 (1989): III. Lento
  8. Quartet No. 4 (1989): IV. Vivace
  9. Quartet No. 4 (1989): V. Lento
  10. Collected Songs Where Every Verse Is Filled With Grief (1984-85)

Tracks:

  1. Jabiru Dreaming, Quartet #11 (1990): I. Deciso
  2. Jabiru Dreaming, Quartet #11 (1990): II. Amoroso
  3. Quartet #8 (1969): I. Con dolore
  4. Quartet #8 (1969): II. Risoluto; calmo
  5. Quartet #8 (1969): III. Con dolore
  6. Quartet #8 (1969): IV. Con precisione
  7. Quartet #8 (1969): V. Con dolore
  8. From Ubirr (1994)
  9. Tragedy at the Opera (1995)
  10. White Man Sleeps Quartet #1: First Dance
  11. White Man Sleeps Quartet #1: Second Dance
  12. White Man Sleeps Quartet #1: Third Dance
  13. White Man Sleeps Quartet #1: Fourth Dance
  14. White Man Sleeps Quartet #1: Fifth Dance

Amazon.com

Seems like only yesterday the Kronos Quartet stepped up their career as musical mavericks with a coveted, wide-open contract with Nonesuch Records. Now it's Nonesuch's turn to give Kronos the big-package nod, gathering key works recorded by the group--from younger composers and time-tested veterans alike--into this 10-CD box set. As one might expect, the set is stuffed with contrasts, from the first CD, with its 11-part, upstepping John Adams suite and then the far more solemn Missa Syllabica from Arvo Pärt. Nearly 20 of these pieces here were composed expressly for Kronos, pitched and sculpted for their easily-racked mixture of straightforward string quartet roles and intelligently restructured approaches to the even the simplest gestures. Perhaps most key here is George Crumb's Black Angels, in large part due to Crumb's role in inspiring David Harrington to form Kronos 25 years ago. Crumb's music spirals and chases through the air, engaging high pitches and fast pacings as if they were ends in themselves. Gone from this set are most of the short snippets that have filled some of Kronos's other fine single CD recordings. In abundance instead are some of the legendary works: Morton Feldman's long, endlessly patient Piano and String Quartet (with Aki Takahashi), Steve Reich's unnerving Different Trains, and Henryk Górecki's String Quartets Nos. 1 and 2. There are also some of the astounding Eastern European works from Night Prayers as well, including the stunning Quartet No. 4 from Sofia Gubaidulina. And of course there are the Kronos biggie pieces: Philip Glass's works fill one CD, and so do Terry Riley's. What's more, Riley's Cadenza on the Night Plain and "G Song" are presented here in entirely fresh, new recordings. What the listener gets is a huge block of music, full of shifting colors and textures but perfectly apt in giving a wide-angle vantage on what Kronos has done for contemporary music. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A worthwhile investment.......2003-10-06

It would be an understatement to say that this is a fabulous box set. All 10 CDs are packed with some fabulous music that beautifull highlights the first 25 years of the Kronos Quartet, and the booklet included provides a great history of the group as well as nice blurbs on the composers and their pieces.

Equally nice about the box set is the inclusion of multiple new recordings, thus making this a worthwhile investment for fans. The Peter Sculthorpe Quartets are a particularly nice addition, as are the added Piazzolla, Part, and Riley compositions.

Along with this, the "classic" Kronos recordings are all here: "Black Angels" "Different Trains" "Salome Dances for Peace" (well, exceprts), and Feldman's Piano and String Quartet. Of particular note, I think is the inclusion of Gubaidulina's Quartet No 4, a fabulous recording that is otherwise hidden in Kronos' recording "Night Prayers."

Yes, this is quite an investment, but I firmly believe that it's worth it - longtime fans and newcomers alike have a lot to gain from this collection.

4 out of 5 stars Excelent compilation!.......2001-09-09

I like more classic period, like Hayden, but Cronos does it very well, technicaly excelent. The ten sets are wonderful recordings and the selection is unique. It deserves the investment, If you buy it, youre going to have more than ten hours of joy.

5 out of 5 stars Amazingly Now Retrospective.......2001-06-26

Since their youthful start in the NW back in the 70's, Kronos has collaborated with, commissioned, or just played such a breadth of musicians it almost seems that breadth - and especially non western world culture - is their mission. But, while this conservatively and esthetically designed 25-yr-retrospective box (with its increasingly sophisticated photo-portraits) belies the pulsation of social angst and conscience that underlies the bulk of the inclusions, the latter concern, its vitality and relevance - and not some stylish chasing after cultural breadth - is what overtakes the listener/reader, rather soon. I say reader, since the booklet is very helpful, especially to the relative novice, and well balanced in its coverage of composers, historical contexts, performers, individual texts, etc.

There are probably more non contemporaries performed by the Quartet over the years than this selection would indicate. That undercuts their ties with the sense of revolution in music throughout the ages, but it leaves more time for the present: and that is where one expects the group wishes to be, is most contributory and challenged, and is best and most fairly judged. Highly recommended, both for those who know Kronos's work well and wish a handsome tribute on their shelf, and for those who do not but are open and ready to be affected, whether impacted esthetically, reminded socio-morally, or whatever combination of both befits.

5 out of 5 stars How Could You Not Listen?.......1998-12-19

My opinion pales when compared to this CD. Indeed the group's ingeniousness, its knowing and its balls are in full display here, hopefully to put to rest any lingering contention that there is little more to Kronos than form. To any person who accepts the merits of 20th-century music, this CD presents the genius of our culture and teaches that daring and ingenuity do not have to be sacrificed on the road to technical brilliance. My only regret is that the CD does not include Kronos's interpretation of Bartok. But, so what? Górecki's here, as are Part and Benshoof. Listen to this CD -- soar and struggle with it.

5 out of 5 stars Good for help to know up-to-date contemporaly music.......1998-11-28

The Kronos Quartet has released many albums. There let us see what the quartet has tried new titles and arrenges in each period. But this is the best set for understand the quartet as summary of thier works. The CDs are distributed by each composers and we can see thier identities easily.Unfortunately this dose not include all but be enough to see what the quartet has been.I hope that every classical music fans(not only contemporaly music fans) listen this CDs.

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  2. Anne Sofie von Otter - La Bonne Chanson
  3. Arthur Foote: Chamber Music, Vol. 1
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  5. Bach: Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Cembalo
  6. Beethoven: Octet Op. 103; Rondino WoO25
  7. Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 17, 18, 21 & 22
  8. Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 6
  9. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5; Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 "Italian" [Hybrid SACD] [Hybrid SACD] [SACD]
  10. Berg: Lulu Suite - Wozzeck Three Experts / Levine, The MET Orchestra

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