Métamorphoses – Haydn, Ligeti, Brahms
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Métamorphoses – Haydn, Ligeti, Brahms

For centuries, the border between Austria and Hungary was a place where music was written that both transcended and blurred these boundaries. Joseph Haydn (1732–1809), Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) and György Ligeti (1923–2006) were all three inspired by Hungarian culture. However, the most essential similarity between these three composers is the metamorphosis of the style in which they composed. Haydn, Ligeti and Brahms never settled for what they had achieved: they constantly managed to push forward their self-inflicted boundaries.

The most concrete examples of metamorphosis on this recording are our own arrangements of piano intermezzi by Johannes Brahms. When we heard these intermezzi, we were so moved by them that we decided to arrange a number of these pieces for string quartet.

– Dudok Quartet Amsterdam, from the booklet notes

Brahms – Intermezzo Opus 119 No. 1

This arrangement was made by our cellist David Faber. The sheet music is available for free, see Downloads.

Haydn – String Quartet Op. 54 No. 2

Movements II, III & IV. Live recording at Concertgebouw Amsterdam, 21 November 2015.

‘Ligeti receives an outrageously fearless performance, Haydn’s slow movement is a tour de force of controlled improvisation, grave and focused. The debut disc kept inviting me back to think more and listen harder.’

— Gramophone —

‘Refreshing nonconformity. The Dudoks have a lithe, lively sound and alert sense of structure and detail: a group to watch.’

— The Guardian —

‘Ligeti’s ingenious insanity is approached with an open mind and the results are astounding.’

— Trouw —

‘Masterful. Ligeti’s Métamorphoses Nocturnes features as an indestructible pillar beneath their debut disc. The Dudok Quartet lay out cunningly the melodic lamentations and obstinate scouring he had put into this 1956 work.’

— De Volkskrant — 

‘The Hungarian connection is most evident in Haydn’s Andante, with Judith van Driel playing the quasi-improvised first violin part with the rhythmic freedom and keening expression of a gypsy fiddler. Ligeti’s quartet flows surely through its 21-minute span, the playing vivid and passionate, matching expressive freedom with tight control.’

— The Strad —

Score

Brahms – 4 Intermezzi from Op. 116, Op. 118 & Op. 119

Arranged for string quartet
Dudok Quartet Amsterdam
Brahms – 4 Intermezzi from Op. 116, Op. 118 & Op. 119

We gladly present you with the sheet music of our arrangements for string quartet. Thank you for supporting us with a one-time donation as desired.

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