For those unaware, the brand new recording American Tapestry brings together four unique voices in American music: Samuel Barber, Wynton Marsalis, Erich Wolfgang Korngold and John Williams.

The album reflects the belief that American classical music is not a single style but rather an amalgamation and dialogue between many different voices.

The Calidore String Quartet, acclaimed for performances across the globe, is recognized as one of today’s foremost chamber-music ensembles.

From its base in New York, the group has toured widely throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

About the program, the Calidore says, “American Tapestry reflects our belief that American classical music is not a single style but a dialogue among many voices — lyrical and rhythmic, traditional and modern, intimate and cinematic. Each work on this album reveals a facet of our shared identity, and together they remind us that America’s story, like its music, is one of constant reinvention.”

String Quartet No. 1, Op. 11 - Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
I. Molto allegro e appassionato
II. Molto adagio
III. Molto allegro (come prima)

String Quartet No. 1 “At the Octoroon Balls”: - Wynton Marsalis (b. 1961)
III. Creole Contradanzas
IV. Many Gone
V. Hellbound Highball

With Malice Toward None - John Williams (b. 1932)

String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, Op. 34: - Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957)
I. Allegro moderato
II. Scherzo. Allegro molto
III. Sostenuto. Like a Folk Tune
IV. Finale. Allegro - Allegro con fuoco

The album opens with Samuel Barber’s String Quartet Op. 11, originally composed between 1935 and 1936 while the composer was in Europe after receiving the Rome prize: first up is the studious Molto allegro e appassionato, then comes the delicate elegance of Molto adagio, the set rounding out on the confidently strident fare of Molto allegro (come prima).

This is followed by Wynton Marsalis’ At the Octoroon Balls, an epic suite in seven movements drawn from the musical heritage of his native New Orleans: which opens on the flourishing fare of Creole Contradanzas, and then we get the achingly yearnful Many Gone, itself ending on the angular Hellbound Highball.

Along next is John Williams’ With Malice Toward None, which was originally composed for Steven Spielberg’s 2012 biopic, Lincoln, as Abraham Lincoln’s theme, and thus is a ender, most impassioned and therein dutifully sculpted work of musical art. The album closes with Erich Korngold’s String Quartet N.3 in D Major, dedicated to Bruno Walter, a fellow Jewish émigré to Los Angeles: this set opens on the soft dancefloor swirl and twirl of Allegro moderato, then brings forth the preppy Scherzo. Allegro molto, the engagingly somber Sostenuto. Like a Folk Tune, the set, and this new collection from the simply wonderful Calidore String Quartet ending on the emboldened Finale. Allegro - Allegro con fuoco.

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