Viktor KALABIS (1923-2006) : Complete String Quartets 1-7. Kocian Quartet, Zemlinsky Quartet

A tribute to Viktor Kalabis, one of the greatest Czech composers of the latter half of the 20th century, close friend of Jindřich Feld (1925-2007) and Marek Kopelent (b. 1932), who lived through both the German occupation and the communist era. The musician admired French culture, adored Stravinsky' Russian and French periods and Bartok's values and felt at ease with the large symphonic and concerto forms. He also composed seven intimate Quartets from 1949 onwards, his last one in 1993. His harpsichordist wife Zuzana Růžícková, who survived Terezin, led him into the work of Bach. He was also influenced by painters such as Marc Chagall and Ota Janeček, and he dedicated many years of his life to promoting the work of Martinů, and helped found the Martinů Institute.

PRD 250 262