Italian Postcards: Works By Wolf, Mozart, Borenstein, Tchaikovsky

Quartetto di Cremona celebrates its 20th anniversary with its 14th recording and first on AVIE. "Italian Postcards" features works by composers inspired by the Mediterranean country, including Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Wolf and Nimrod Borenstein, whose work the quartet commissioned especially for this release.

Greetings from Italy where music is everywhere! Celebrating 20 years of an illustrious international career with their 14th recording and first on AVIE, the multiple award-winning Quartetto di Cremona sends "Italian Postcards", assembling evocations of the Mediterranean country by four non-natives. Mozart penned his first string quartet during his first Italian journey to the town of Lodi. Hugo Wolf's "Italian Serenade" takes its inspiration from poetry and ancient Italian melodies. Extending the quartet repertoire, the Cremona commissioned British-French-Israeli composer Nimrod Borenstein, whose "Cieli d'Italia" was inspired by the colours of the Italian skies. The album's idyllic conclusion is Tchaikovsky's string sextet, "Souvenir de Florence," in which the Cremona is joined by violist Ori Kam (Jerusalem Quartet) and cellist Eckart Runge (former founding member of the Artemis Quartet).

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

"as sleek and elegant as an Armani suit" ? The Strad

"Performances of great personality" ? Gramophone

"They play with fervour and flair." ? The Guardian

"played with zest and sparkle." - The Observer