Tis too late to be wise Kitgut Quartet

• Henry Purcell (1659 - 1695):
• 19 Fantasias, Z. 735-43: No. 8. Fantasia a 4 in G Major, Z. 74203:20
• The History of Timon of Athens, Z. 632:
• 2The History of Timon of Athens, Z. 632: Curtain Tune on a ground01:58
• Matthew Locke (1621 - 1977): The Tempest, Z. 631:
• 3The Tempest, Z. 631: IV. Curtain Tune03:56
• 4Consort of Four Parts, Suite No. 2 in D Major: I. Fantazie03:27
• 5Consort of Four Parts, Suite No. 2 in D Major: II. Courante00:55
• 6Consort of Four Parts, Suite No. 2 in D Major: III. Ayre01:38
• 7Consort of Four Parts, Suite No. 2 in D Major: IV. Saraband01:22
• Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809): String Quartet in D Major, Op. 71 No. 2, Hob. III:70:
• 8String Quartet in D Major, Op. 71 No. 2, Hob. III:70: I. Adagio06:08
• 9String Quartet in D Major, Op. 71 No. 2, Hob. III:70: II. Adagio cantabile05:01
• 10String Quartet in D Major, Op. 71 No. 2, Hob. III:70: III. Menuetto. Allegro - Trio01:54
• 11String Quartet in D Major, Op. 71 No. 2, Hob. III:70: IV. Finale. Allegretto03:24
• Henry Purcell: 9 Fantasias, Z. 735-43:
• 129 Fantasias, Z. 735-43: No. 2. Fantasia a 4 in B-Flat Major, Z. 73602:56
• 13King Arthur, Z. 628: Fairest Isle02:19
• Matthew Locke:
• 14Consort of Four Parts, Suite No. 1 in D Minor: II. Courante01:03
• 15Consort of Four Parts, Suite No. 1 in D Minor: III. Ayre01:42
• Henry Purcell:
• 16King Arthur, Z. 628: Hornpipe01:21
• 17Pavan in G Minor, Z. 75204:40
• 18Chacony in G Minor, Z. 73003:57
• John Blow (1649 - 1708): Venus and Adonis, Act II:
• 19Venus and Adonis, Act II: Act Tune02:03
• Total Runtime53:04

Info for Tis too late to be wise

Liberty, enthusiasm, and sharing: that might well be the motto of the Kitgut Quartet (named for the ‘kitgut’ or catgut strings it uses), which brings together four outstanding soloists, all of them members of the leading period-instrument European ensembles. This first recording, devoted to Haydn and England (Purcell, Locke, Blow), explores the origins of the string quartet via a number of carefully chosen gems. A journey through time with plenty of surprises in store!

"The Kitgut Quartet’s album seeks out antecedents among instrumental music from 17th-century England...It all makes for an ear-tickling album, superbly recorded and played." (The Times)

Kitgut Quartet:
Amandine Beyer, violin
Naaman Sluchin, violin
Josèphe Cottet, viola
Frédéric Baldassare, cello

Kitgut Quartet
No “oracle” could have foreseen the meeting between these four musicians, with such varied, contrasting backgrounds. And yet, after an initial encounter, in 2015, Amandine Beyer, Naaman Sluchin, Josèphe Cottet and Frédéric Baldassare founded the Kitgut Quartet, with period instruments and gut strings.

All experienced chamber musicians and soloists with major European ensembles, they have pooled their desire to bring to life with their bows the major works of the repertoire, as well as curiosities and forgotten pieces, in a tradition tinged with liberty, enthusiasm and sharing.

Their first project examines the origins of the string quartet and explores the various attempts in Europe, prior to the classical period, to produce purely instrumental, four-part compositions. In four chapters, ranging from Schubert and Germany, Mozart and Italy, Beethoven and France, then Haydn and England, the Kitgut quartet opens up a vision of the birth of the string quartet, with the desire to reveal on stage the mood of their rehearsals: dialogue, amusement and spontaneity!

Booklet for Tis too late to be wise