In spite of international exchange and European Community, the propagation of new music is still often a matter where national ensembles in particular present the new home-grown repertoire to the public. In itself, this is understandable: such ensembles are often in contact with the composers and can therefore throw themselves on the new pieces with first-hand information. The New Hellenic Quartet
… is such an ensemble. It focuses especially on the new quartet music from Greece and has now released a second CD with this repertoire. In this movement it presents quartets of five Greek composers that are still living. The majority of the quartets sound very contemporary, with only "Traces nr.5 'Impromptu'" by Stelios Vlavianos (* 1947) being an exception, given the many nods to French light music. The quartets of Yorgos Hatzimichelakis (* 1959) and Jacovos Haliassas (* 1920) are both their first work in this genre. The latter already completed it in 1961, but refurbished it in 1980. The neoclassical structure of his work contrasts with Hatzimichelakis' "Quartet No. 1, Op.11", which used strict geometric principles as structure-determining elements. Alexandros Kalogeras (* 1961) and Dimitris Sykias were the only ones who used twelve-tone series for their quartets entitled "Hieron" (1989) and "Alnitak - Alnitak - Mintaka" (1992), although without being particularly strict about them. Moreover, they are the only ones who have been inspired by elements of Greek mythology. This CD is a commendable initiative and the music is, although not always accessible, on the whole interesting. (JvG) _more
