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The JACK Quartet puts Boulez in broader context with a bold and exciting program

By Kurt Gottschalk, 16 March 2025
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“the grand (near) unisons of the Glass quartet came off like Beethoven in a dream”
Reviewed at Symphony Space, New York City on 12 March 2025
Programme
Boulez, Livre pour cordes (1.2.3c)
Webern, 6 Bagatelles for string quartet, Op.9
Glass, String Quartet no. 5
Cage, String quartet in four parts
Holliger, String Quartet no. 2
Performers
JACK Quartet
More Concert reviews
Guitars, electronics and ancient treatises: the JACK Quartet at 92NY
Kurt Gottschalk, 20th March
At 92NY, the JACK Quartet performs four new works developed in their JACK Studio, including a commissioned premiere from the electrifying Tristan Perich.
****1
Too-similar programming drags down JACK Quartet at 92nd Street Y
David Wolfson, 10th November

The JACK Quartet give an immaculate performance of a disastrously programmed concert at the 92nd St Y. 

*1111
The JACK Quartet’s thing with strings could launch a revolution
Christopher Woodley, 11th May
At Wigmore Hall, the JACK Quartet's sonic mastery gives a lift to Liza Lim and threatens to start a carrot revolution.
****1
A Feldmanesque meditation by Tyshawn Sorey
Kurt Gottschalk, 16th December
It was like a quiet day in a sunny room. The air was still, shadows and colors changed as the sun moved across the sky, but nothing inside the room ever actually moved.
*****
Spirit of Delight: Iannis Xenakis celebrated at the Southbank Centre
Christopher Woodley, 8th October
The Greek composer's centenary is marked by the London Sinfonietta, Colin Currie Group and the JACK Quartet. 
*****
JACK slows time at Time:Spans
Kurt Gottschalk, 25th August
An insistently slow premiere by Eric Wubbels is followed by a longer work by Catherine Lamb which makes the former sound almost like a calypso. 
*****
More reviews...
Read reviews of
6 Bagatelles for string quartet, Op.9Anton WebernHeinz HolligerJACK QuartetJohn CageLivre pour cordesPhilip GlassPierre BoulezString Quartet no. 5
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Kurt Gottschalk
Kurt Gottschalk

Kurt Gottschalk is a journalist and author based in New York City. His writings on contemporary and classical music, jazz and improvisation have been published in outlets throughout Europe and America and he has two volumes of short fiction to his name. He produced and hosted the Miniature Minotaurs radio programme on WFMU and currently hosts Afternoon New Music on WKCR.