Ciurlionis works for string quartet are superb!
Baltic Books | Portland, OR USA | 08/31/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Vilnius String Quartet version of Mikalous Ciurlionis' complete work for quartet is not as good as the version produced in Lithuania by the M.K. Ciurlionis String Quartet several years ago. However, it is extremely difficult to find the other outside of Lithuania. With that in mind I highly recommend obtaining this CD.Ciurlionis composed these works in 1901 and 1902 mostly while studying under Salomon Jadassohn at the Leipzig Conservatory. The canons and fugues move from serious and contemplative to bursting with joy. These are my personal favorites of his musical compositions. I never tire listening to them.The composer is better known musically for his moody and moving symphonic poems, "The Forest", "The Sea" and others. In much the same way as his art, they reflect a soul in conflict seeking his way out of darkness into light and very much express the heart and spirit of his Lithuanian homeland."