Stevens: String Quartets & String Quintets

Behn Quartet

DDA 25203

The British composer Robin Stevens is a great talent waiting to be discovered by the global music community. His varied, stimulating and expressive work arises from many influences - from the music of the Romantic era, to mathematics, his faith, and the influence of his main teacher in undergraduate days, John Joubert, and he is now producing substantial works for varied instrumental groupings, which are modernist and original, but yet immediately accessible. • This album contains the premiere recording of the String Quintet, an early work from his student days, rich in allusions to early 20th century works, but already containing many of the elements of his later work: tangy harmonies, intricate counterpoint, modal lyricism and often almost neo-Romantic expression. Above all the works are a reflection of the composer and his perceptions of the word and the people around him, yet at the same time universal in their appeal. • The two quartets are very different. The first was written in 2008 after the composer had recovered from a 17-year debilitating illness and while his style was developing considerably as he undertook his Doctorate. Its single movement is rich in variety, using a small few thematic ideas in constantly evolving forms. The second, from 2011, is a study of three character types (not necessarily real individuals) which are each distinctive but clearly related. • The Behn Quartet is formed of players from England, the Netherlands, Portugal and New Zealand. The group was formed in 2015 and has given recitals at major venues and festivals across Europe. Previously holders of a fellowship at the Royal Academy of Music they are now Associate Ensemble at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Contemporary music is an important part of their repertoire and they gave the world premiere of Maxwell Davies’ final work at his Memorial Concert. They are joined in the Quintet by Swiss cellist Timothée Botbol, a Park Lane Group Young Artist and like the quartet, a highly talented young musician with a very promising future.

CD x 1

Divine Art

27.03.2020

0809730520327