It is said, sometimes, that the four voices of a string quartet are closest to the human voice: the core of our Western music, in which Hildegard von Bingen played an important role. She did not write a string quartet, she lived about 600 years before the string quartet came info existance - but this arrangement gives her originally unison vocal melody a new lease to life. The colors that the quartet make are exstreme, but the music remains in the original atmosphere. Certainly, this also applies to the Renaissance songs by josquin des Prez, which Charles Wuorinen arranged from. Josquin's songs are exceptionally characteristic and diverse in style and form - sometimes inordinately. The adapted arrangement to string quartet emphasizes how strong and timeless these songs musically are.
Bosmans wrote her only string quartet during a holiday at sea in Zandvoort. Impressionistic images of the turbulent sea and the radiant sun sketch an atmosphere of a carefree and cheerful time in a style that leans towards the language of Ravel and Debussy, but definitely has its own character.
Sally Beamish Reed Stanzas are inspired by traditional Celtic Music. Bagpipes; the chirping of birds and even an exotic excursion to the sound of the Arabian ney flute return. A special and theatrical piece by one of the most favorite comtemporary composers of the Belinfante Quartet.