Australian String Quartet
In this further celebration of Musical Mavericks, the ASQ tackles three important compositions from three corners of the globe.
Gorecki’s atmospheric first string quartet was inspired by a folk song about dusk; ironically, it was written by the Polish composer just as his homeland’s political emancipation was dawning.
Philip Glass’s Company was originally written for a dramatisation of the Samuel Beckett poem of the same name. This profound piece underscores the soliloquy of a man looking back and coming to terms with his life.
Finally, the Festival presents Richard Meale’s second quartet, with the five movements of the Australian’s work encompassing quite different emotional responses: from deep grief inspired by the loss of a friend to a lyrical sense of peace and nostalgia.
Henryk Gorecki
String Quartet No. 1, Op. 62, Already it is Dusk
Philip Glass
String Quartet No. 2, Company
Richard Meale
String Quartet No. 2
Broadcast live by ABC Classic FM.
Visit the Australian String Quartet website for more information.
