The Kreutzer Project

by The Knights

Overview

The small orchestra, The Knights, often sets itself the mission of commissioning (or simply writing, as here) new pieces that connect with repertory works in some way, thus giving contemporary-shy audiences a way into new music. The Kreutzer Project, with new works by The Knights co-founder Colin Jacobsen and Anna Clyne, complementing Beethoven's Violin Sonata No. 9 in A minor, Op. 47 ("Kreutzer") and Leos Janacek's String Quartet No. 1 ("Kreutzer Sonata"). The idea must have been irresistible to The Knights since there are actually three separate layers of influence before one reaches the present day: the original Beethoven work, dedicated to Rodolphe Kreutzer after Beethoven's falling-out with George Bridgetower, Leo Tolstoy's short novel The Kreutzer Sonata, inspired by the Beethoven work, and Janacek's quartet, inspired by Tolstoy but also carrying overtones of the Beethoven. The two contemporary pieces make various allusions to the whole thing. The Jacobsen work adds a bit of the violin exercises penned by Kreutzer, which tends to dilute the focus. The arrangements by The Knights for small orchestra run the same risk, although less so with the Beethoven, which the composer himself said was much like a concerto and is familiar enough to be fair game anyhow. The Janacek is more problematical; the interiority and drama of the work are compromised in this version, but listeners may well feel that the line of association drawn here are worth the alterations involved. The Knights deliver their usual brisk, incisive performances. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	08/19/2022
Label:	AVIE
UPC:	0822252255522

Tracks

1. 'Kreutzer Concerto' Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Op. 47~I. Adagio sostenuto - Presto
2. 'Kreutzer Concerto' Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Op. 47~II. Andante con variazioni
3. 'Kreutzer Concerto' Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Op. 47~III. Finale: Presto
4. Kreutzings
5. Shorthand
6. 'Kreutzer Sonata' String Quartet No. 1 JW7/8 'Z podn¿¿tnu Tolst¿¿ho Kreutzerovy son¿¿ty'~I. Adagio - Con moto
7. 'Kreutzer Sonata' String Quartet No. 1 JW7/8 'Z podn¿¿tnu Tolst¿¿ho Kreutzerovy son¿¿ty'~II. Con moto
8. 'Kreutzer Sonata' String Quartet No. 1 JW7/8 'Z podn¿¿tnu Tolst¿¿ho Kreutzerovy son¿¿ty'~III. Con moto - Vivo - Andante
9. 'Kreutzer Sonata' String Quartet No. 1 JW7/8 'Z podn¿¿tnu Tolst¿¿ho Kreutzerovy son¿¿ty'~IV. Con moto - Adagio - Pi¿¿ mosso

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Knights   Primary Artist,Primary Artist,Orchestra
Eric Jacobsen   Cello,Conductor
Logan Coale   Double Bass
Emily Daggett Smith   Violin
Karen Ouzounian   Cello
Mario Gotoh   Viola
Colin Jacobsen   Violin

Technical Credits

Colin Jacobsen   Composer,Liner Notes,Arranger
Ludwig van Beethoven   Composer
Francis Marchal   Liner Note Translation
Shervin Lainez   Photography
Jesse Lewis   Mixing,Editing,Producer,Mastering
Anna Clyne   Composer
Eric Jacobsen   Arranger
Christina Kernohan   Photography
Jody Elff   Engineer
Leos Janacek   Composer
Shauna Barravecchio   Editing
Matthias Lehmann   Liner Note Translation
Michael P. Atkinson   Orchestration
Tom Caulfield   Engineer
Alex Sopp   Cover Art
Zenas Hsu   Editing