Pacifica Quartet records Carter SQs for Naxos
Posted by Christian Carey in UncategorizedThe Pacifica String Quartet repeated their Carter marathon program last week, performing all five of his string quartets in a single evening at the Society for Ethical Culture. In addition to coinciding with the Focus festival’s early celebration of Carter’s centenary (the composer doesn’t turn 100 until December), it was also billed as a release party for their new Naxos recording of Carter Quartets One and Five. Although I missed it this time out, I saw them perform the Carter marathon at Miller Theatre a few years ago, and it was truly a remarkable evening.
The CD is an excellent addition to Carter’s discography. As well as contributing a vibrant performance of the First Quartet, the Pacifica’s fine interpretation of the Fifth Quartet is the only version currently available (the Arditti rendering, sadly, is out of print). One hopes that the Second, Third, and Fourth Quartets are not far behind in Naxos’ release schedule, allowing listeners to hear the Pacifica’s marathon to their hearts’ content.
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Yeah, I had the pleasure of seeing the Pacificas perform all five Carter SQs in San Francisco a couple of years ago. I think I may have seen the rumor on their website but might there be a sixth one in the works perhaps?
When I spoke with Mr. Carter in Dec. ’05, he mentioned that the Pacifica had asked him for a Sixth Quartet. At the time, he seemed somewhat diffident about writing another one. Has anyone heard an update about SQ #6?