LIGETI QUARTET X ANNA MEREDITH

Nuc (Mercury KX)

Anna Meredith has been the crossover classical success story of the avant-garde since her 2008 Last Night Of The Proms commission. Possessed with an ability to weave melodies from amongst the challenging sonorities of modern classical music (listen to the beautifully soaring cello part of Honeyed Words), Meredith has been able to keep true to the envelope-pushing aesthetic of modernism while creating music capable of moving the soul. Perhaps her closest comparison would be with fellow Brit Thomas Adès.

The Ligeti Quartet, used to the challenging material of their namesake, have generously taken it upon themselves to create this brief anthology of work from across Meredith’s career featuring string quartet pieces and new arrangements by violist Richard Jones. At times playful and rhythmic, at others taught and minimalist, the quartet is often augmented by other classical instrumentalists but also Meredith’s trademark electronic sounds. A remarkable, uncompromising collection that shows the composer and ensemble to be uniquely perfect collaborators.

words JOHN-PAUL DAVIES