Daniel Rowland – Paganini: Complete Quartets for String Trio and Guitar Vol. 1 (2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Daniel Rowland – Paganini: Complete Quartets for String Trio and Guitar Vol. 1 (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 03:04:23 minutes | 3,45 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Brilliant Classics

This release is a source of pride for guitarist Alberto Mesirca for several reasons. First, it’s the culmination of a recording endeavour begun in 2016, which sprung from an idea Mesirca had during an after-concert dinner with his beloved, late mentor, violist Vladimir Mendelssohn, who particularly loved yet had never performed Paganini’s 15th Quartet (more like a viola concerto with strings and guitar accompaniment). Mesirca then managed to convince Vladimir Mendelssohn to prepare scores for the complete repertoire.

Second, the other musicians who join the ensemble on this recording are among the finest, most sensitive and passionate musicians Mesirca has had the pleasure of meeting.

The Quartets in this three album set are not in chronological or catalogue order because the full cycle of 15 Quartets will be realised with a second upcoming release, and Mesirca decided instead to create a common thread with the tonalities and musical development among the quartets.

This recording is dedicated to Vladimir Mendlessohn who brought the group together with his inspirational musicality and presence. This almost certainly represents the violist’s final studio recording, and he is featured here as the incredible virtuoso he was.

Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840) was an Italian composer and virtuoso violinist, widely regarded as one of the greatest violinists of all time. Apart from his compositions for his own instrument the violin he is also known for his extensive chamber music works, including his quartets for guitar and string trio. These quartets are considered some of the most challenging works for the guitar, an important contribution to the repertoire for guitar and strings.

The quartets were composed in the early 19th century, at a time when the guitar was gaining popularity as a solo instrument, and Paganini was one of the first composers to write extensively for the guitar. His quartets helped to establish the guitar as a legitimate concert instrument, and paved the way for future generations of composers to write works for the guitar.

Tracklist:
1-1. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 4, (Op. 5 No. 1) M.S.31: I. Presto (11:40)
1-2. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 4, (Op. 5 No. 1) M.S.31: II. Andante (04:42)
1-3. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 4, (Op. 5 No. 1) M.S.31: III. Cantabile, quasi Larghetto (07:16)
1-4. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 4, (Op. 5 No. 1) M.S.31: IV. Finale – Prestissimo (01:36)
1-5. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 15 in A Major, M.S.42: I. Maestoso (11:57)
1-6. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 15 in A Major, M.S.42: II. Minuetto a canone, Andantino (03:07)
1-7. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 15 in A Major, M.S.42: III. Recitativo, andante sostenuto e con Sentimento (02:17)
1-8. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 15 in A Major, M.S.42: IV. Adagio Cantabile (03:07)
1-9. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 15 in A Major, M.S.42: V. Rondò, Allegretto (03:42)
1-10. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 9 in D Major, M.S.36: I. Allegro Moderato (07:27)
1-11. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 9 in D Major, M.S.36: II. Minuetto alla Valtz (03:34)
1-12. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 9 in D Major, M.S.36: III. Adagio sostenuto Appassionatamente (06:01)
1-13. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 9 in D Major, M.S.36: IV. Allegro Vivace (04:12)
1-14. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 6 in D Minor, (Op. 5 No. 3) M.S.33: I. Allegro (07:17)
1-15. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 6 in D Minor, (Op. 5 No. 3) M.S.33: II. Moderato (03:17)
1-16. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 6 in D Minor, (Op. 5 No. 3) M.S.33: III. Tema cantabile, quasi Larghetto (07:49)
1-17. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 6 in D Minor, (Op. 5 No. 3) M.S.33: IV. Polacchetta, allegro con Brio (03:31)
1-18. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 8 in A Major, M.S.42: I. Allegretto (10:32)
1-19. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 8 in A Major, M.S.42: II. Minuetto, Andantino (04:27)
1-20. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 8 in A Major, M.S.42: III. Cantabile molto Adagio (04:16)
1-21. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 8 in A Major, M.S.42: IV. Rondò, Allegretto (06:25)
1-22. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 12 in A Minor, M.S.39: I. Allegro Giusto (09:02)
1-23. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 12 in A Minor, M.S.39: II. Largo tenuto con Precisione (06:14)
1-24. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 12 in A Minor, M.S.39: III. Minuetto (Allegretto Mosso) (08:33)
1-25. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 5 in C Major, (Op. 5 No. 2) M.S.32: I. Allegro (08:02)
1-26. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 5 in C Major, (Op. 5 No. 2) M.S.32: II. Minuetto, Allegretto (05:57)
1-27. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 5 in C Major, (Op. 5 No. 2) M.S.32: III. Cantabile, Larghetto (04:06)
1-28. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 5 in C Major, (Op. 5 No. 2) M.S.32: IV. Polacca, quasi Presto (03:37)
1-29. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 11 in B Major, M.S.38: I. Allegro Moderato (07:45)
1-30. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 11 in B Major, M.S.38: II. Minuetto (Allegretto) (02:51)
1-31. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 11 in B Major, M.S.38: III. Larghetto, con Passione (03:10)
1-32. Daniel Rowland – Quartet No. 11 in B Major, M.S.38: IV. Polacca (Andante Mosso) (06:51)

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