· JANÁČEK · SHOSTAKOVITCH · BARTÓK ·
Folk music
and deep emotions
In November 2023, Agathe released its first studio album: Intimate Sketches, with music by 3 of the greatest Eastern European composers: Janáček, Bartók and Shostakovich.
All pieces, originally conceived as piano miniatures, are arranged and recorded for the first time by string players.
Some of this music is sketchy and intimate, straight out of a diary book. Unfinished, or intended as material for a masterpiece that was never written. Music that tells live experiences and deep emotions.
Others are lighter, drawn from local folk music traditions. There is also room for short but carefully composed pieces of music to impress the audience.
The Music
LEOŠ JANÁČEK
• Intiemate Sketches
• Three Moravian Folk Dances
BÉLA BARTÓK
• Three Hungarian folk songs from Csik
• Allegro Barbaro Sz. 49
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVITCH
• 7 Dances of the Dolls
• 24 Preludes, Op. 34 (selection)
Agathe Ensemble
musicians in the recording of the album:
Agathe String Quartet:
Aleksandra Kwiatkowska (violin)
Ella van der Mespel (violin)
Almudena González-Regueral (viola)
Iván Nogueira (cello)
Agathe Violin & Cello Duo (Preludes Op. 34):
Aleksandra Kwiatkowska (violin)
Iván Nogueira (cello)
Arrangements for string quartet and Viool & Cello Duo:
Iván Nogueira
The recordings were made by:
Tom Peters
in the Westvest 90, Schiedam, Nederland.
The music is presented alongside a booklet illustrated and designed by the artist:
Roland Tóth
Artwork
The music was released alongside an illustrated and designed booklet by artist Roland Tóth. This booklet not only contains beautiful sketches and illustrations inspired by the music, but also offers fascinating background stories. Within the pages of the book, you will find the CD
and its exclusive bookmark.
in the media
Album Review
POSITIVE-FEEDBACK.COM
"The Agathe Ensemble performs with a commitment and pleasure in their music-making that is infectious. This is a recital to which we have been invited to share a couch and listen to it. There is nothing stiff and formal—it is a relaxed, occasionally playful, and intimate affair throughout"
Crowdfunding
To realize this project, we launched a Crowdfunding Campaign via Voor de Kunst. This has by now been successfully completed. Many thanks to all donors, family, friends and our audience for your support!
Special thanks to: Gemeente Rotterdam, Prins Bernhard Fonds en SENA Fonds