42. Crespo Series

These are both War Quartets, composed in 1945. Suddenly we are in the presence of a mature composer, sure of his voice and still not wracked by the doubts and fears that tormented his friend and colleague Shostakovich. The power and confidence of the Allegro that opens the Fourth Quartet shows how far the young composer had travelled. The implacably driven Toccata could almost be one of Shostakovich’s manic Finales but the edge of mischief waves all seriousness away. The Funeral March is stark and unadorned and reminds us all of the price of invading your neighbour.