Gyorgy Ligeti:
Six Bagatelles for wind quintet from Musica ricercata (arr. Fabio Oehrli)

Johann Sebastian Bach:
Chorale 'Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr', BWV 260
Chorale 'Ach Gott, erhör mein Seufzen und Wehklagen', BWV 254
Chorale 'Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen', BWV 259
Chorale 'Als vierzig Tag nach Ostern war'n', BWV 266
Chorale 'Ach lieben Christen, seid getrost', BWV 256

Dmitri Shostakovich:
Two pieces for string quartet (arr. Lisa Wyss)

Alexander Glazunov:
Saxophone Quartet in B-Flat major, Op. 109

Claude Debussy:
Reverie for piano, L. 76 (arr. Vincent David)

David Biedenbender:
You've been talking in your sleep for saxophone quartet

Astor Piazzolla:
Oblivion (arr. Yo-yo Su)

[Trace (verb): find or discover. Trace (noun): a path or track.]

Every relationship has its special moments: meeting for the first time, overcoming an obstacle together or losing track of time in each other’s company. These moments are points where individual’s stories become one. Milestones that define the path you follow together. This CD traces the path that the Ardemus Quartet has pursued over the last few years. For the Ardemus Quartet the works of Ligeti, Shostakovich, Glazunov, Debussy, Piazzolla, Biedenbender and Bach are those milestones. They remind the quartet of wonderful concerts and inspiring coaching sessions but also of efforts and challenges. The music on this CD made the Ardemus Quartet into the ensemble it is today and gave all four young musicians the opportunity to grow both as a group and as individuals. Even though they all come from different countries, they find a common language through these works.

The Ardemus Quartet presents various musical styles on this CD, original pieces as well as transcriptions. Each of the Six bagatelles by György Ligeti presents a different musical idea and technical challenge, the piece fully showcases the possibilities of the ensemble. The Saxophone Quartet by Alexander Glazunov is the pillar of the classical saxophone repertoire and one of the first pieces written for this formation. The Two pieces for string quartet by Dmitri Shostakovich explore opposite emotions in two short movements. The dreamy Reverie by Claude Debussy brings all the colors of the saxophones to life, while frantic and groovy You’ve been talking in your sleep by young American composer David Biedenbender shows the “wild side” of the formation. One of the most performed pieces by Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla - Oblivion - rounds up the CD and lets the listener get lost in the moment. The pieces are connected by Four part chorales by Johann Sebastian Bach - they serve as a red thread through out the CD.

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Recording: Westvest 90, Schiedam, The Netherlands, November 29 - December 2, 2018