Catalogue

Summary:

The San Francisco-based Cypress String Quartet, known equally for its innovation and its elegant performances, debuts on AVIE with a recording of its namesake work, Dvořák’s Cypresses, a set of twelve love songs scored for string quartet, coupled with the composer’s expansive G major Quartet, No. 13. Known internationally through touring and a dozen acclaimed recordings, the Cypress String Quartet traverses repertoire from J.S. Bach – the composer with which the foursome forged their signature, clear and transparent sound – to world-premieres of works they have commissioned from such composers as Jennifer Higdon, Kevin Puts and Elena Ruehr. In addition to appearances in such renowned venues as the Kennedy Center, the Ravinia Festival and Cal Performances, the Quartet reaches out to new audiences through regular performances in community centres, unorthodox spaces, and schools.

Tracklist:

ANTONIN DVOŘÁK (1841–1904)

Cypřiše [Cypresses], B152
1. No. 1: Já vím, že v sladké naději [I know that on my love]: Moderato (3.29)
2. No. 2: V tak mnohém srdci mrtvo jest [Death reigns]: Allegro ma non troppo (2.30)
3. No. 3: V té sladké moci očí tvých [When thy sweet glances]: Andante con moto (2.13)
4. No. 4: Ó, naší lásce nekvete to vytoužené štěstí [Never will Love lead us]: Poco adagio (3.36)
5. No. 5: Zde hledím na tvůj drahý list [The Old Letter]: Andante (2.52)
6. No. 6: Ó, zlatá růže spanilá [You are my glorious rose]: Andante moderato (1.59)
7. No. 7: Kol domu se teď potácím [I wander oft past yonder house]: Andante con moto (1.51)
8. No. 8: Zde v lese u potoka [In deepest forest glade]: Lento (2.45)
9. No. 9: Ó duše drahá jedinká [Thou only dear one]: Moderato (2.33)
10. No. 10: Tam stojí stará skála [There stands an ancient crag]: Andante maestoso (2.06)
11. No. 11: Nad krajem vévodí lehký spánek [Nature lies peaceful]: Allegro scherzando (2.27)
12. No. 12: Ty se ptáš, proč moje zpěvy bouří [You ask why my songs]: Allegro animato (2.47)

String Quartet No. 13 in G Major, Op. 106, B192
13. I. Allegro moderato (9.33)
14. II. Adagio ma non troppo (10.14)
15. III. Molto vivace (7.03)
16. IV. Andante sostenuto – Allegro con fuoco (10.46)

Total Duration: 68.49

Cypress String Quartet

Cecily Ward • Tom Stone, violin
Ethan Filner, viola • Jennifer Kloetzel, cello

Recorded 28 July–1 August (1, 3, 7, 9–16) and 14–16 September 2012 (2, 4–6, 8)
at Skywalker Sound Studios, Marin County, California
Producer: Cecily Ward • Recording engineer: Mark Willsher
Assistant engineer: Judy Kirschner