A modern sequel to the music of the Romantic era. The first movement hints at the chromatic of 'Tristan?- cantilena lines convey a mournful scene. It is succeeded by a brilliant scherzo with the cryptic title 'Erste fremde Szene? (First Foreign/Unknown Scene - one is invited to solve this riddle), while the third movement, with its singing quality, is related to the first. The final movement, a 'Zweite fremde Szene? ('Second Foreign/Unknown Scene?), alludes to the 'last dance? tradition, with its ironic undertones and the copious use of sixths, counterpointed with tarantella rhythms. A rewarding, striking work, equally valuable for concerts combining older compositions with new works as for contemporary music programmes. / Quatuor A Cordes