Search - Robert [Composer] Simpson, Delme String Quartet :: Robert Simpson: String Quartet No. 9

A Summit of 20th Century Quartet Literature

Thomas F. Bertonneau | Oswego, NY United States | 10/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Robert Simpson (1921-1997) rivals Shostakovich both in the number and seriousness of his string quartets. The Ninth Quartet (which lasts nearly an hour in performance) consists of thirty-three palindromic variations and a palindromic fugue on a palindromic theme by Haydn. Brahms produced his "Haydn Variations" and so did Simpson. What is a palindrome? It's a structure whose second half repeats its first half, but backward, as in the phrase: "MADAM I'M ADAM." Simpson's imposing the palindromic rule on himself obviously entailed a great stricture, and this music is nothing if not strict. The procedures will astonish and delight, with the emphasis on the latter. For one need not be aware of the "method" to enjoy the extraodinary musical transformations that occur during the Ninth Quartet's fifty-five minutes. Indeed, one can delectate in the pure music of it without worrying at all about the underlying discipline. The fugue (lasting eleven minutes) is exciting and fittingly caps a riveting essay for the quartet format. Some of the Simpson discs issued by Hyperion are no longer avilable. Snap up this one while it lasts."

The finest string quartet of the twentieth century

George Sdraulig | Australia | 04/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This work is a remarkable feat, and surpasses any of the quartet achievements of Dmitri Shostakovich and Bela Bartok. Here Simpson lays out a simple, palindromic theme by Haydn and then proceeds to create 32 different and imaginative variations on it. These variations are incredibly varied; countless moments of tension, beauty, subtlety, fugal texture - THE LOT. What makes them more remarkable is that they are all palindromic, just like Haydn's theme. All of them are intellectually and structurally impeccable and to top the work off, he includes a magnificent 12 minute fugue at the end which is immaculated crafted. The work feels much shorter than its 57 minutes, and is both brilliant structured and aurally exhilirating.



Very strongly recommended.



The only reservation I have is for recording quality, which is quite boxy. Nevertheless, the performance is magnificent and this is definately well worth exploring."