JALBERT: String Theory; Quartet 3; In
Terra; Autumn Rhapsody; Elegy
Kinetic; Maia Quartet; Shepherd School Symphony/
Larry Rachleff
“Pierre Jalbert is especially known for his chamber work, which our critics have consistently enjoyed… On compilation discs, Jack Sullivan and David Moore singled out his works for praise (Marquis 81491 & Azica 71326, S/O 2019: 170). Josh Mailman found an album of his chamber music “genuine”, “rich”, and “tasteful”, noting his “Bartok-infused rhythmic propulsion” and “clashing semitone dissonances” (Gasparo 361, S/O 2005: new). I’ll join the ranks in praising this new release of works for string quartet, string orchestra, and symphony orchestra…the music is often highly kinetic and rhythmically intricate. There is a tonal anchor, but it is often disrupted by spiky dissonances.
This is all thrilling, enjoyable music. The works for string orchestra are some of the best ones here—string ensembles, keep these in
mind for programming!