The DAFO Quartet formed while still students, and evolved from there. And even though some of the members have changed over the years, the group’s roster has been consistent since 2004. And they have always been all women. More importantly, as demonstrated by this collection of recordings spanning that 30-year career, what also has remained consistent is the excellence of their playing, and with the exception of the earliest recordings made in 1999, so too is the recorded sound from DUX.
Curious about their unusual name, just as I was with the JACK Quartet in my review of their latest recording, I learn DAFO was an acronym of the last names of its original members (just as it was with the JACK, but of their first names) – which no longer pertains to the current lineup. (Same with JACK). But no matter.
I have admired the DAFO Quartet since hearing their 2010 Penderecki recording on the DUX label. My only regret was that they made that recording before the 4th Quartet (2016) was written. So when I saw this 2024 box set release, with extremely minimal information on the back cover as to its contents, it was with tentative anticipation that maybe – just maybe – they might have subsequently recorded the 4th and included it on this CD. Well, I was thrilled to discover that’s exactly what they did! At long last, we have all 4 String Quartets played by this fantastic group, along with the original couplings – the String Trio, Clarinet Quartet (joined by a superb clarinetist, Arkadiusz Adamski), and the little The Broken Thought. But that’s not all. Not only did they record the 4th Quartet, comprised of just two movements (a very short Andante and a vigorous, playful Vivo), they also recorded a recently discovered and reconstructed third movement, as completed in 2023 by Claus-Dieter Ludwig from sketches left by the composer. This final Allegro risoluto is fairly substantial, alone lasting as long as the 2 published movements combined (5-1/2 minutes), bringing the entire work to around 11 minutes in length.
While it’s significant to have this extra content, one can’t help but wonder how much of it is Ludwig and how much is Penderecki. The booklet provides very little detail on this, so we don’t know how much of a fragment Penderecki left. It’s fascinating nonetheless, and a remarkable achievement to have it included here. When was the last time you saw a record label go to the effort and expense of making something right, for the sake of completeness, in a box set of reissued material? Hats off to DAFO Quartet, and especially to DUX Record Producers. What a terrific label this is.
The Penderecki was the primary enticement for me, and their recording is as good as it gets. The DAFO bring enormous atmosphere, vigor, wonderment and fascination to this music – and in the first two String Quartets, an eerie awesomeness – along with the most essential ingredient of all, the suddenness of dynamic contrasts. And the DUX engineers provide excellent recorded sound. Now that it includes all 4 String Quartets, this collection is also one of the most complete (along with the recent one on Capriccio). It remains one of the very best even among truly outstanding newer offerings from the Tippett (2020 Naxos), Silesian (2021 Chandos) and Meccore (2023 Capriccio).
The remaining 4 discs are logically organized by composer (more or less), taken from a variety of (mostly) reissued material. Disc 2 combines Bacewicz’s 4th with the two by Szymanowski, while Discs 3 and 4 are devoted exclusively to the three by Henryk Gorecki. The one exception is CD 5, which is comprised almost entirely of all new recordings. It presents the 4 String Quartets and 2 Piano Quintets by the only living composer represented in the box, Pawel Lukaszewski (*1968). Only the 1st String Quartet had been previously recorded by DAFO back in 1999, and I can find no other recordings of these works – making this disc indispensable. (The booklet, again very meager with details, mentions in passing “some of these are world premiere recordings.” Why wouldn’t they tout that more?) DAFO is joined by pianist Marek Szlezer for the Quintets. And after the Penderecki, this disc is of primary significance. (See more below.)
Another highlight for me is the Bacewicz 4th, even though it is not quite as well recorded. It was recorded in Krakow in 1999 (along with the Gorecki 1st and Lukaszewski 1st), in what sounds to be an empty, cavernous hall. The quartet is awash in reverberation – though not so much that it blunts musical impact – affording them an almost symphonic grandeur. It is interesting comparing this to the Silesian Quartet’s 2016 recording of the piece (part of their complete set of all 7 of her String Quartets for Chandos). The difference is quite shocking, actually. The Chandos acoustic is much clearer, almost stark in comparison, with the musicians presented in a much more intimate setting. While the DAFO are set back within a slightly tubby acoustic, surrounded by a halo of reverb – weightier and more dramatic. The lighter touch and transparent textures from the Silesians bring a delightfulness to this music which almost makes it sound like a completely different piece. Still, the DAFO actually make me love it more than the somewhat matter-of-fact Silesians do.
I won’t delve into the Gorecki, as I have never cared for his music – and even the DAFO couldn’t change that for me. But I will briefly comment on the two from Szymanowski, as I was much more captivated and moved by them here than ever before. I found it fascinating how the DAFO Quartet manages to relate the 1st Quartet to the unique soundworld of his first 2 Symphonies (written roughly 10 years before). There is a similar, richly perfumed atmosphere to it, which the DAFO relishes with an almost orchestral palette of color – propelled by a compelling sense of direction and purpose. While the 2nd Quartet, written 10 years later, is definitely more exploratory and even more intoxicating. It sounds decidedly more Impressionistic, occasionally reminding me of Ravel’s String Quartet (amazingly written some 25 years earlier) in a way I had not experienced before. This reading is more characterful and characterized than the one from the Verona Quartet (whose recording I reviewed a couple of years ago), with more pronounced dynamics and articulation, along with sumptuous color.
Finally, the new music on Disc 5. Lukaszewski is apparently known primarily for his choral music, and that can be heard in the inherent lyricism of his string quartet writing. These works are fairly short, and contemporary for sure – but nothing like Gorecki or Penderecki (for example). They are instantly appealing – pleasantly tonal and melodious, and rather lighthearted in spirit. The first 2 are full of character, playful even, adorned with an abundance of appealing tunes. The 3rd has more than a hint of minimalism in its rhythmic insistence – though even here, a glorious melody soars over the underlying agitation. The 4th, written much later (in 2021), returns to the enchanting congeniality of the 1st two. The Piano Quintets are predictably heavier – partly due to the recording, which curiously recesses the piano back in a slightly murky acoustic – with a bit of seriousness adding gravitas to the characteristic liveliness of the Quartets. Yet the pleasing charisma of this composer’s nature remains. This music is surprisingly approachable and very rewarding; I loved every minute of it. And as most of it was recorded in 2023, it clearly demonstrates the DAFO Quartet isn’t showing any signs of slowing down after 30 years. Their playing is simply glorious.
I had not intended to review all the individual works (or performances) in this box, but I found myself so immersed in the music, I couldn’t help myself. My original intent was actually to illustrate the extraordinary effort made by the DAFO string quartet, and especially this record label, in producing this box set and bringing it to market. Despite my feeling DUX has downplayed the commemorative element of this “30th Anniversary Celebration” and the world premiere recordings it presents, it is nonetheless a distinguished achievement. This set needs to be heard by everyone who enjoys contemporary string quartet music and appreciates exemplary string quartet playing. And I hope this review will bring at least a small amount of interest and attention to it.
