Best of Brodsky Quartet

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The Brodsky Quartet are less known for their chamber music exploits than for their one collaboration with Elvis Costello, The Juliet Letters. But their varied repertoire--everything from George Crumb to Debussy (along with the odd Björk collaboration)--seems inspired by that other hip string quartet, Kronos. Judging from this set, the best part of the Brodsky Quartet is that they make extremely pretty music--whether it's Prokofiev or Gershwin. They obviously love these varied works, and their sound isn't big, but it is sweet. No, you won't find their version of Black Angels here, nor their take on Shostakovich's gripping String Quartets, but you will find the fun stuff: Brubeck's "It's a Raggy Waltz," Debussy's "Golliwogg's Cake-Walk," and Falla's "Danza Español." Two tracks with Costello are highlights--"I Almost Had a Weakness" and "Jackson, Monk and Rowe"--and Björk's "Hyperballad" is simple, but weird. --Jason Verlinde

Best of Brodsky Quartet, Music, The Brodsky Quartet, Chamber Music, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Pop
Best of Brodsky Quartet
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Bonkers Over Brodsky!
  • Plays well together
 Best of Brodsky Quartet
The Brodsky Quartet
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000031W17
Release Date: 2000-01-18

Tracks:

  1. I Almost Had A Weakness
  2. Danza Espanola
  3. Hyperballad
  4. Nanatsu-no-ko
  5. It's A Raggy Waltz
  6. Jackson, Monk and Rowe
  7. Piano Prelude Op. 34, No. 15: Allegretto
  8. Summertime
  9. Gavotte
  10. Cabo de Gata
  11. La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin
  12. March In C
  13. Laideronette, Imperatrice Des Pagodes
  14. Strange Meadow Lark
  15. Hoe Down
  16. Bess, you Is My Woman Now
  17. Cancion Del Fuego Fatuo
  18. Chanson De Matin
  19. Pavane De La Belle Au Bois Dormant
  20. Piano Prelude Op. 34 no. 6
  21. Golliwogg's Cake-walk

Amazon.com

The Brodsky Quartet are less known for their chamber music exploits than for their one collaboration with Elvis Costello, The Juliet Letters. But their varied repertoire--everything from George Crumb to Debussy (along with the odd Björk collaboration)--seems inspired by that other hip string quartet, Kronos. Judging from this set, the best part of the Brodsky Quartet is that they make extremely pretty music--whether it's Prokofiev or Gershwin. They obviously love these varied works, and their sound isn't big, but it is sweet. No, you won't find their version of Black Angels here, nor their take on Shostakovich's gripping String Quartets, but you will find the fun stuff: Brubeck's "It's a Raggy Waltz," Debussy's "Golliwogg's Cake-Walk," and Falla's "Danza Español." Two tracks with Costello are highlights--"I Almost Had a Weakness" and "Jackson, Monk and Rowe"--and Björk's "Hyperballad" is simple, but weird. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Bonkers Over Brodsky!.......2005-07-23

This is a great CD - lots of energy - I am listening to it now and it's wonderful! A quartet that's not stuffy and all that stuff - Give it a try -
All the Best,
Simon

5 out of 5 stars Plays well together.......2000-04-04

Two aspects of the Brodsky Quartet's art lifts it above all its rivals on the world stage. These four instrumentalists have been playing together constantly since early childhood, allowing a level of ensemble unity transcendant in expressive effect. As if this were not enough, it is uniquely gifted in its rhythmic impulse. Few string quartets inspire the invocation of such words as "groove" and "swing," but such language is natural and unavoidable when trying to describe the natural pulse and flow of the Brodsky sound. A ballroom of five hundred could be moved effortlessly around the floor by just the sounds from these four members of the violin family. Where other quartets may make a more dashing impression of romantic passion, the Brodsky Quartet is far and away the best kisser.

The part-writing heard in this collection is unique to this quartet. Violin I Michael Thomas has written most of the arrangements, giving evidence of an understanding of the string quartet unavailable to most composers, aided by his intimate knowledge of the individual players involved.

On this point one must note that they seem happier to be together, less in conflict, than any quartet on record, with tremendous benefits in the long term. They have many decades yet to live, and the prospect of what lies ahead of them affords this listener compelling reason to live long enough to hear it.
Excerpts From THe Juliet Letters [7-Track Sampler CD]
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Excerpts From THe Juliet Letters [7-Track Sampler CD]
    Elvis Costello , and Declan McManus
    Manufacturer: Warner Bros. Music
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD
    ASIN: B000T7XC5O

    Product Description

    7 Track Sampler CD to introduce The Juliet Letters. (1) Jacksons, Monk & Rowe 3.44 (2) I Almost Had A Weakness 3.53 (3) Taking My Life In Your Hands 3.20 (4) Damnation's Cellar 3.26 (5) This Sad Burlesque (6) Romeo's Seance 3.33 (7) The First To Leave 5.00

    Track Listings:

    1. Brahms, Schumann, and The Viola
    2. Brahms: Serenades 1 & 2 (Westdeutche Sinfonia/Joeres)
    3. C.P.E. Bach~Concertos
    4. Cello Suites 4 5 & 6
    5. Classical Highlights: Haydn
    6. Colors
    7. Copland: Appalachian Spring
    8. Daniel Asia: Symphony No. 2; Symphony No. 3
    9. David Russell plays 19th Century Music
    10. Deutsche Grammophon Centenary Collection, 1948-1957 (Box Set) [Box set]

    Track Listings

    track listings

    Track Listings

    Ram [Gold CD]

    Telemann: Overture for Wind Quintet

    Texas Sharecropper & Songster

    New Yallopin City

    Inside Out/Wanted

    The Best of the Love Unlimited Orchestra

    The Michael Franks Anthology: The Art of Love [Original recording remastered]

    The Harold Wayne Collection Vol.20

    Todd Young and his Rock Band

    The New Scene Of King Curtis

    The Joshua Tree

    Seduction

    Tesoros Musicales

    Bass After Shock

    The Essential George Benson