Quartour Van Kuijk Plays the Debussy and Ravel Quartets

The Emerson Quartet, the Juilliard Quartet, the Brodsky Quartet and other top string quartets have already recorded CDs that pair the quartets of Debussy and Ravel. There is a reason for that. While dramatically different in structure and mood, these two quartets are pinnacles of twentieth-century French music. And of course, they are both masterpieces.

Now another formidable string ensemble, the Quartour Van Kuijk, has joined the fray and released a single-CD recording on the Alpha label that includes both these works. This youthful quartet, which formed in Paris in 2012, won prizes in a number of categories at the 2012 Wigmore Hall Competition and is really making a name for itself. The quartet has also been named among the BBC New Generation Artists.

Judging from their performances of the Debussy and Ravel on this disk (which adds a pianist and soprano for a performance of Chausson’s Chanson perpétuelle), there is a reason why people are noticing this youthful ensemble. One unusual thing is that the voice of each instrument seems so clear and distinct – it’s almost like listening to four very different people enjoying an intimate conversation.

Have a listen to the recording on Classical Archives and tell us what you think.