Orlando Jacinto Garcia: String Quartets 1-3
2021 Latin GRAMMY® Nominee — Best Classical Contemporary Composition (String Quartet No. 2 “Cuatro”)
“Slow, soft and gripping” – Radio Eclectus, April 2021
The music of the Cuban-American composer Orlando Jacinto Garcia inhabits a sonic universe of its very own, one where the musical landscape is constructed in order to evoke a thorough suspension of time. The three works on the present release correspond almost precisely to the past three decades of Garcia’s career and thus present for the interpreter and listener alike a kind of survey of his development. Garcia’s mentor and teacher was Morton Feldman and the aesthetic of Feldman and his inspiration are preoccupations which color several of Garcia’s compositions.
Garcia has composed over 200 works for a wide variety of genres and instrumental combinations, and has established himself firmly in the new-music world with his time-suspending, haunting explorations. Born in 1954 in Havana, he moved to the USA in 1961. As part of his great success he has received four Grammy nominations awards and honors too many to mention and his music has been recorded for 14 labels as well as Métier. A dedicated educator, Garcia is Professor of Music and Composer in Residence at the School of Music, Florida International University.
The Amernet String Quartet has been described by The Strad as a group of exceptional technical ability’ and praised by the New York Times for intelligent and immensely satisfying playing’. The ensemble is Quartet in Residence at Florida International University and its performance schedule has taken it all round the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The Amernet is a strong advocate for new music and also for high quality neglected works of the past.
AMERNET STRING QUARTET:
Misha Vitenson, Violin | Avi Nagin, Violin
Michael Klotz, Viola | Jason Calloway, Cello
Track Listing
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Orlando Jacinto Garcia (b.1954):
- String Quartet No. 1 "rendering counterpoint" (25:47)
- String Quartet No. 2 "cuatro" (15:44)
- String Quartet No. 3 "i never saw another butterfly" (23:49)
Reviews
“Intriguingly complex and moving, García’s music defies categorization or, worse, labeling. The Amernet Quartet plays this music with complete discipline and sensitivity. The engineering is exemplary. I hope that Metier will continue to record the fascinating music of this pioneering artist.
” —Rafael de Acha
“We took to the avant-garde work like a duck to water… It all has something of a magical quality.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“Garcia writes music that aims to suspend time. His syntax has a personal originality that sets it apart from other composers. A special thing, serious and expressive, thoughtful; sincere, intimate and a musical world unto itself. The Amernet String Quartet perform all three quartets with care, precision, and understanding. Recommended.
” —Grego Edwards
“An engrossing listen… these quartets maintain a steady and methodical course akin to a thawing out or loosening up of emotions audible from the outset. It helps that the Amernet Quartet is so attuned to this music’s understated intensity. Is it recommended? Indeed. The sound is well-nigh ideal in its balance and focus. this release should help pave the way to greater coverage [for Garcia’s music].
” —Richard Whitehouse
“The chronological account of these quartets makes for an interesting journey, highlighted by the composer’s decision to assign a title of each of them. Each of the three quartets offers its own characteristic listening experience… each quartet has its own individual framework. The music encourages focused attention to detail on the part of the listener and an awareness of an evolutionary approach to change.
” —Stephen Smoliar
