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Kenneth Fuchs

String Quartet No. 5

String Quartet No. 5 (‘American’) embraces in sound and spirit the stylistic influences of the American symphonic school that dominate my orchestral scores. A broad and angular ‘American’ melodic theme unifies the entire four-movement composition; the voicing of the contrapuntal lines and resultant harmonies is open, suggesting space and distance. The music is alternately lyrical and playful, sometimes brusque and muscular, at times elegiac, and it is meant to suggest the resilience and brash optimism of the American spirit. Rigorous contrapuntal procedure is paramount in all of my musical compositions, perhaps no more so in the purity of the string quartet medium for which some of the most enduring music of the Western tradition has been composed. String Quartet No. 5 is an in-depth exploration of the contrapuntal possibilities inherent in the single ‘American’ melodic theme that is exposed by the first violin at the beginning of the work.’

-Kenneth Fuchs

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Movements

  1. Adagio semplice – Allegro giocoso – Poco agitato (l’istesso tempo) – Adagio misterioso
  2. Allegro agitato – Presto agitato
  3. Elegia: Lento cantabile – Allegro satirico (alla valzer) – Lento – Allegro satirico, poco agitato – Adagio lamentoso
  4. Allegro giocoso – Larghetto, poco misterioso – Allegro giocoso

Recorded at the Hit Factory, Miami, Florida, USA, on 23rd January, 2013.
Producer: Judith Sherman.
Engineer: Gustave Celis.
Editor: Jeanne Velonis.

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Reviews

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“
Overall, these two discs featuring Cotik must be regarded as among the finest performances for their consistent artistry and idiomatic grasp
Classical Net
“
the secret here…always let curiosity be a constant inspiration. If Tomas Cotik ever revisits these works on record it will be fascinating to hear the results, but it´s hard to see how they could be better that this
THE WHOLENOTE MAGAZINE
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His amazing technical skill and artistic know-how…create an indelible interpretation of Bach’s music…Cotik’s combines impeccable technique and an intuitive artistry to fashion a mesmerizing interpretation of these pieces.
AUDIOPHILE AUDITION
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The CD recording is his seventeenth in ten years, yet no sign of fatigue is evident when his passion for the material translates into performances of immense appeal…Cotik invests the material with so much life. Listening to him play is never less than a pleasure, and all twelve pieces are brought vividly and expressively to life.
Textura
“
clarity and tonal opulence rare in recordings of violin music
Fanfare Magazine
“
Cotik makes Kreisler seem almost smarmy, Isabelle Faust almost mannered, and Julia Fischer as though she´s filed down the detail
Fanfare Magazine
“
true treasure…one of the latest gems to emerge from the season
John Terauds – Musical Toronto
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His interpretation of Bach’s sonatas and partitas his newest album in should add a notch to his reputation as a stellar violinist
NORTHWEST REVERB
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Also in the interpretation of Mozart´s sonatas, Cotik´s excellent performance and perfect technique stand out in the particularly brilliant articulations
GBOPERA MAGAZINE
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The playing is pristine, technically, and the recorded sound clear. This is a highly intelligent project in conception and execution.
Fanfare Magazine