String Quartet No. 2 – Precision, Passion, and Patience
Sofia Gubaidulina’s String Quartet No. 2 is a miniature masterpiece that leaves a lingering impact far beyond its brief duration.
At first glance, the piece’s short length might suggest an easy recording, but nothing could be further from the truth. Gubaidulina’s music is full of subtle nuances, microtonal glimmers, and dynamic contrasts that demand absolute precision from every player. Each soft pizzicato, high harmonic, and whispering glissando must be executed with complete intention, so no room for casual playing.
I remember the countless hours we spent refining our sound: experimenting with bow angles to find the right timbre, finding the exact balance. We worked on every tempo change, micro-pause, and note cluster to capture the deep emotional undercurrent of Gubaidulina’s vision.
For me, Gubaidulina’s Quartet No. 2 was not just another track, it became a lesson in listening, subtlety, and devotion. In our recording, I hope you can hear the care and attention we poured into every grain of sound.
Frank de Groot, Laurens van Vliet, Karin Dolman, Hans Woudenberg