GODALNI KVARTET FEGUŠ: SLOVENSKA DELA ZA ŠESTNAJST STRUN

Classical and Modern Music

Format: CD

Code: 114434

EAN: 3838898114434

The Feguš String Quartet is a Slovene chamber ensemble with which, together with my other three brothers, I have worked since 1992. When we celebrated our 20th anniversary we had the idea to widely promote artists from our home town, Maribor.
It is always asked; why this selection of composers? Despite Maribor's relatively small size, it was quite a difficult decision as to which of its composers we should include on this CD. We chose composers who have worked or presently are still active in Maribor and who, with their work have left or are still contributing to the artistic development and growth of the city. The choice of composers is also a somewhat chronological compendium spanning the 20th Century to the present day.
The String Quartet of Viktor Parma (1923) is distinctive for its somewhat Italianate lyrical melodic invention.
The quartet of Igor Štuhec (1954) presents us with a more modernistic musical language with extended melody and intricate counterpoint between the instruments.Štuhec's piece acts as a musical introduction to the composers of the present day.
The piece by Tomaž Sveté, I cantici dei Angeli (2004) brings unusual and interesting sound colours representing the Angels of the Apocalypse described by John the Apostle (Revelations). The composer explores various technical and acoustical possibilities of the string quartet ensemble ranging from the extremely meditative to the absolute and brutal limits of sound.
We also perform the quartet of our father Maksimilijan Feguš (1997) who depicts our childhoods with crying, lullabies, loud chatter and such which was a constant part of the home life of four rowdy brothers. The main theme of the quartet is based on letters from our surname, f, e, and g.
Short Prelude of the composer Emerik Beran from the beginning of 20th Century is a brief appendix for the listener which brings us back to the beginning of the chronology of the CD. The theme is presented at the outset of the piece and is distributed throughout all the instruments of the quartet in various tonalities.
These expressive works, intentionally or not, leave us free to seek connections between the musical worlds of modern life.

Jernej Feguš

Feguš String Quartet, playing together since 1992, is an absolutely unique musical group, not only in Slovenia, but internationally. Four brothers make up the ensemble: Filip, Simon Peter (violins), Andrej (viola) and Jernej (cello). After initial studies in their hometown of Maribor, they continued at the Corinthian State Conservatorium in Klagenfurt, Austria. In 2001 they were accepted to study chamber music at the prestigious private »Scuola di Musica di Fiesole« (Florence) where, until 2007 they studied under the mentors Milan Škampe (Smetana Quartet), Pier Farrulia (Quartetto Italiano) and Andre Nannoni (Nuovo Quartetto). Their studies were also financed with a scholarship from the Italian President, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. In 2012 they completed a Master’s degree in chamber music at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria under the guidance of Stephan Goerner (Carmina Quartet). They have also attended many international master classes with members of famous quartets such as; Alban Berg Quartet, Amadeus Quartet, Borodin Quartet, Emerson Quartet, Juilliard Quartet, LaSalle Quartet, Guarneri Quartet and others. In 2001 the Feguš String Quartet was chosen by the legendary Isaac Stern to take part in his chamber music workshop at the prestigious Carnegie Hall, New York amongst the company of America's finest quartet members. They also have participated in music festivals in Orlando, Kerkrade in the Netherlands, the festival of Pablo Casals in the French town of Prades, the festival »Strings Only!« in Zadar, the International festival of young musicians »DAM« in Priština amongst others. They have performed concerts throughout Slovenia and Europe (Vienna, Berlin, Paris, London, Florence) the USA (Washington, New York) and elsewhere. Recordings have been made by Radio Slovenia, Radio Maribor, ARD, ORF, France Musique. They have also performed many world premieres of works by Slovene and other composers such as, Primož Ramovš, Anton Lajovic, Maksimiljan Feguš, Jani Golob, Damijan Močnik, Albin Weingerl, Črt Sojar Voglar, Krešnik Aliçkaj, Kuštrim Gashi, Dafine Zeqiri, S. Spadini. In 2006 they recorded a CD with works by Janáček and Ravel and in 2011 another with works by Hugo Wolf and Anton Webern. They have been honoured by the City of Maribor with the Seal of the City and the Glazer Prize Certificate for Cultural Achievement. The town of Piran also recognised the Feguš String Quartet with a prize named after one of the most famous composers born there; the Tartini Prize, for the best interpretation of his music.

Benjamin Virc
Translated by: Simon Robinson

TRACKS::
Viktor Parma (1858-1924): Kvartet
1          Allegro moderato                                                                 8:31
2          Adagio                                                                                      6:50
3          Tempo di Valse                                                                      5:20
4          Finale                                                                                         6:57

Igor Štuhec (1932): Godalni kvartet
5          Allegro man non troppo                                                    4:39
6          Andante                                                                                   3:44
7          Allegro vivace                                                                         3:09

8          Tomaž Svete (1956): Il cantico dei Angeli                  15:14

9          Emerik Beran (1868-1940): Kratka predigra               2:32

Maksimiljan Feguš (1948): Godalni kvartet št. 1
10        Maestoso                  (listen!)                                               2:51
11        Allegro moderato – Valse                                                  4:57
12        Largo                                                                                         3:34