Tesla Quartet ❤ Alex Fiterstein
When we met clarinetist Alex Fiterstein (www.fiterstein.com) during the Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival in North Carolina, it was love at first sound - we knew we HAD to make an album together!
With Tesla Quartet’s (www.teslaquartet.com) debut album now in the capable hands of Orchid Classics (http://www.orchidclassics.com), we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to return to Wyastone Studios in the UK to collaborate on four exceptional clarinet quintets:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Clarinet Quintet in A major, K.581
Gerald Finzi - 5 Bagatelles, Op.23 (arr. Christian Alexander)
John Corigliano - Soliloquy
Carolina Heredia - “Lus In Bello” (Law of War) *Debut Recording
These pieces may not at first appear to have much in common, but each of them blends disparate influences in a way that’s at once thought-provoking and musically adventurous. Likewise, a quintet starts with five distinctive voices and weaves them together in such a way as to sum up to something much larger, more complex, richer, and vastly more beautiful than its parts. This idea of an exciting blend further expands to include the listener who brings their own history, personal taste, and passion for music to each unique moment of encounter.
Composed in 1789, Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet possesses exquisite craftsmanship that defies description. It makes unparalleled use of the clarinet’s unique ability to sing and marries it with the string quartet in a way that conjures an entrancing, operatic experience for the listener.
Finzi’s World War II-era 5 Bagatelles bring together a series of delightfully quirky character pieces, masterfully arranged for clarinet and string quartet by Christian Alexander. Influenced by the passage of years and varied composers, including Bach and Ravel, Finzi synthesized what he described as “20-year-old bits and pieces” into a timelessly affecting whole.
Desolate and gorgeous, Corigliano’s 1995 Soliloquy is written in memory of the composer’s father, a long-time concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic. Corigliano incorporates an extended dialogue for clarinet and violin that builds on the contrasting sonorous elements of each instrument.
Inspired by the 2014 anti-government protests in Venezuela and the ancient compacts intended to regulate confrontation, Carolina Heredia’s striking Lus In Bello, fuses clarinet and strings to evoke a moving ambiance of upheaval and uncertain reconciliation.
Once again we will be partnering with the dream team of GRAMMY-winning producer Andrew Keener (www.discogs.com/artist/833644-Andrew-Keener) and recording engineer Simon Eadon (www.discogs.com/artist/902732-Simon-Eadon), both of whom are titans in the industry and have a long history of recording with our beloved mentors, the Takács Quartet. The location of the recording is a state-of-the-art facility Wyastone Studios in UK, home of Nimbus Records.
Your support is crucial to making this album a reality. A project of this magnitude requires a substantial investment of time, energy, and money. We’re looking to raise $17,000, which will pay for the recording venue, engineering, and the production of the album. We want to thank you in advance for your consideration and any contribution you can make toward our efforts to craft a work of love that seeks to preserve timeless music for future generations.
We’d be doubly grateful if you could spread the word about this month-long campaign to like-minded friends and colleagues. Together we can make something truly worthwhile!
Thank you,
Ross, Michelle, Edwin, Serafim and Alex
Risks and challenges
Certainly there are always risks and challenges that pertain to projects like this. For example, travel plans could be interrupted or production of the disc could face delays. However, we are confident we can overcome obstacles like these to get this recording out and into your hands!
Learn about accountability on KickstarterQuestions about this project? Check out the FAQ
Support
Funding period
- (31 days)