Philip Glass / Kronos Quartet

Kronos Quartet Performs Philip Glass

★★★★

For most people I know who have listened to Philip Glass he is either a minimalist contemporary genius or a repetitive uninspired fad composer. So far, I associate with the first group of people. His music is animated; always driving forward towards something bigger than itself. 

Kronos Quartet does a wonderful job at keeping all these quartet pieces lush and exciting. Especially starting off with the 5th string quartet; it's pure Glassisms all the way through. I would probably say it's my favorite quartet piece too. The 4th quartet shifts the mood quite drastically. It's somber, mournful and less animated. It's unlike Glass in many ways but it's surely some welcome variation in his music. 

The last two quartet pieces, the 2nd and 3rd, are all shorter in length and to me a bit less worthwhile compared to the first two. The 2nd quartet is pretty quiet and relatively stable until it breaks into these short bursts of energy and noise, each being perfectly placed. The 3rd is a soundtrack for a film and it's quite obvious that it was composed for one. Its mood changes quite rapidly but it has this driving force that is like watching a pebble go down a series of river rapids. 

Kronos Quartet has proved themselves to me already through their many releases, but I have come to really appreciate their work here as well. Their powerful interpretation of Glass's quartets are luscious and very satisfying. 

Favorite Song: String Quartet No. 5: III.