Quatuor Ardeo

STRING QUARTET

Goldberg Variations

Bach/Meïmoun

A masterpiece if any, the Goldberg Variations by Johann Sebastian BACH are also a peak of the form "variations on a theme". Universal music originally written for keyboard, these variations have known many transcriptions, sometimes very original. The Ardeo Quartet offers us its version for string quartet, an adaptation commissioned from composer François Meïmoun, where the complicity of the quartet strings ideally serves the incomparable richness of the counterpoint art of the Cantor of Leipzig.

Press

Benedict Hévry, ResMusica, Août 2018

Le Quatuor Ardeo transcende les Variations Goldberg transcrites par François Meïmoun.
Le Quatuor Ardeo nous gratifie d’un somptueux et exigeant programme. En parfaite connaissance du tempérament de ses interprètes, François Meïmoun confie la voix principale des plus austères variations, en mode mineur, au second violon plus éploré de Carole Petitdemange, alors que les plus exubérantes sont souvent dédiées au volubile premier pupitre tenu par Mi-Sa Yang. Avec un quasi non-vibrato délibéré presque spartiate mais de rigueur, la sonorité du quatuor se rapproche presque de celle d’un consort de violes pour une interprétation sublime, magnifiant paradoxalement par son analyse infinitésimale l’œuvre de synthèse du cantor perçue au travers de notre prisme contemporain. Aux techniques d’écriture polyphonique archaïsantes répondent la pulsation et le rebond rythmique dans le parfait esprit de la danse. Après ce parcours poétique quasi initiatique, triomphalement accueilli, les quatre musiciennes nous gratifient après l’entracte d’une tout aussi magnifique version de l’ultime quatuor de Beethoven, cet opus 135, (…) À n’en pas douter un très grand concert de quatuor à cordes !

Discography

BACH / MEÏMOUN - Goldberg variations for string quartet

IBS Classical, 2018

About ten years ago we met François Meïmoun, a passionate musician and composer. During the course of our association we have played several of his quartets including one of his first Bach transcriptions, Tocatta BWV 913. When François Meïmoun spoke to us about his aspiration to transcribe the Goldberg Variations we naturally encouraged him. Since its first performance at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord in Paris in 2015 we have had only one desire: to record this new vision of a consummate work of art in order to be able to share it. We are happy to invite you to discover and rediscover this magnificent journey undertaken by J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations.

Quatuor Ardeo

The transcription of the Goldberg Variations took place within a context of total respect for the original text. No change of notes or rhythms. The transcription is based on an “orchestration” of the text for four string players. As in an orchestra, all the instruments in the string quartet are not systematically required simultaneously: variations for two, three, or four instruments follow in succession. This redistribution of the material enables new lines to be heard that are often difficult to hear within the uniform sound context of the piano or harpsichord. The Goldberg Variations are a model of polyphonic writing, a synthesis of Bach’s art and contrapunctal mastery: the fugue, the canon, the French overture … Nevertheless, the work cannot be reduced to some mere austere exercise: the dances that permeate the cycle confer a superior dimension of accomplishment to the twilight of the baroque era.

François Meïmoun