Title: one great piece, two blah
Review: Gavin Bryars has become famous for quasi-ambient & somewhat philosophical pieces for large ensembles (like Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet.) The string quartet format doesn't seem to allow him to write the same deep, lush textures, though - what you get here is more straightforward post-minimal writing, not unlike Terry Riley's work for quartet, or even Debussy/Ravel/Britten.The first quartet ("Between the National and the Bristol") really grabbed me - it manages to create an ominous, suspenseful mood which is later broken by a passionate outburst. 5 stars for that.The other two struck me as competent but somewhat blah.Lyric Quartet plays well, I'd also give them four stars. A few weak phrases here and there, intonation and tone could be better, but certainly a decent job.
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