Ben Johnston: String Quartets Nos. 6, 7, & 8, by Kepler Quartet

Ben Johnston: String Quartets Nos. 6, 7, & 8

by Kepler Quartet

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$9.99 USD or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
The ten string quartets of Ben Johnston (1926-2019), written between 1951 and 1995, constitute no less than an attempt to revolutionize the medium. Only the first limits itself to conventional tuning. The others, climaxing in the astonishing Seventh Quartet of 1984, add in further microtones from the harmonic series to the point that the music seems to float in a free pitch space, unmoored from the grid of the common twelve-pitch scale. In a way, this is a return to an older conception of string quartet practice, since players used to (and often still do) intuitively adjust their tuning for maximum sonority while listening to each other's intonation.

The completion of the cycle, supervised throughout by the composer himself, is a historic achievement that will undoubtedly stand as the definitive document of these works, among the landmark quartet cycles of 20th-century music. The Seventh and Eighth Quartets are receiving their world-premiere recordings. The former has a reputation as the most difficult quartet ever written and the Kepler Quartet has met the challenge with enviable aplomb, as they have throughout the cycle, affording listeners a chance to finally hear these difficult but highly rewarding works. Johnston's brief, poignant Rumi setting, Quietness, with the composer himself as vocalist, rounds out the recording, a fitting denouement to－in the words of composer/author Kyle Gann－“possibly the most ambitious string quartet project in history.”

Includes unlimited streaming of Ben Johnston: String Quartets Nos. 6, 7, & 8 via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. ... more

ships out within 3 days

Purchasable with gift card

$15.99 USD or more

1.	String Quartet No. 6: Legato espressivo 22:37
2.	String Quartet No. 7: Scurrying, Forceful, Intense 02:36	buy track
3.	String Quartet No. 7: Eerie 04:53
4.	String Quartet No. 7: With Solemnity 16:21
5.	String Quartet No. 8: Vigorous, Aggressive 05:24
6.	String Quartet No. 8: Lazy, Rocking 06:06
7.	String Quartet No. 8: Fast, Skimming - Light 03:27
8.	String Quartet No. 8: Extremely Light and Rhythmic 02:59
9.	Quietness 02:17

about

The ten string quartets of Ben Johnston (1926-2019), written between 1951 and 1995, constitute no less than an attempt to revolutionize the medium. Only the first limits itself to conventional tuning. The others, climaxing in the astonishing Seventh Quartet of 1984, add in further microtones from the harmonic series to the point that the music seems to float in a free pitch space, unmoored from the grid of the common twelve-pitch scale. In a way, this is a return to an older conception of string quartet practice, since players used to (and often still do) intuitively adjust their tuning for maximum sonority while listening to each other's intonation.

The completion of the cycle, supervised throughout by the composer himself, is a historic achievement that will undoubtedly stand as the definitive document of these works, among the landmark quartet cycles of 20th-century music. The Seventh and Eighth Quartets are receiving their world-premiere recordings. The former has a reputation as the most difficult quartet ever written and the Kepler Quartet has met the challenge with enviable aplomb, as they have throughout the cycle, affording listeners a chance to finally hear these difficult but highly rewarding works. Johnston's brief, poignant Rumi setting, Quietness, with the composer himself as vocalist, rounds out the recording, a fitting denouement to－in the words of composer/author Kyle Gann－“possibly the most ambitious string quartet project in history.”

credits

released April 15, 2016

Kepler Quartet

Sharan Leventhal, violin I
Eric Segnitz, violin II
Brek Renzelman, viola
Karl Lavine, cello

All compositions published by Smith Publications.

This recording would not have been possible without the devoted support and counsel of Ben Johnston and his family.

license

about

New World Records Brooklyn, New York

Anthology of Recorded Music, Inc., which records under the label New World Records, was founded in 1975.

We are dedicated to the documentation of American music that is largely ignored by the commercial recording companies.

contact / help

Contact New World Records

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Ben Johnston: String Quartets Nos. 6, 7, & 8, you may also like:

Everywhere at the end of time
by The Caretaker

supported by 10 fans who also own “Ben Johnston: String Quartets Nos. 6, 7, & 8”

Actually astounding and emotionally moving, creating a community that I have been proudly a part of for 2 years OrsonXD
go to album
Sélébéyone
by Sélébéyone

supported by 8 fans who also own “Ben Johnston: String Quartets Nos. 6, 7, & 8”

One of the more interesting jazz and rap hybrids out there. Everyone performing at the top of their game. Lord Dubious
go to album
Performances & Recordings 1998-2018
by Charles Curtis

supported by 7 fans who also own “Ben Johnston: String Quartets Nos. 6, 7, & 8”

Sounds like lines. Conducive to bringing out the unknown forms that lurk in our minds. sylvain-levier
go to album
Silhouettes
by Justina Jaruseviciute

A stirring set of chamber music from this composer from Berlin, which seem to capture hope & sadness at once. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 5, 2021
go to album
The Sea Ranch Songs
by Aleksandra Vrebalov & Kronos Quartet

featured on Bandcamp Radio Dec 26, 2017
go to album
Cycles
by David Baron

David Baron recorded the beautiful, moving “Cycles” in New York’s famed Beethoven Hall, the perfect setting for his rich compositions. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 21, 2017
go to album
Universal Beings
by Makaya McCraven

supported by 6 fans who also own “Ben Johnston: String Quartets Nos. 6, 7, & 8”

I was brought here after listening to a live performance of Makaya's on you tube. I instantly loved the song Holy Lands so much that I had to see if the album version was the same rendition as the live one. Then I listened to the whole album! Universal Beings is a just a groove... It's a mix of traditional and something new, very nice. pandr1900
go to album