Sunday, November 23, 2025

William Bolcom Piano Quarter

It was an accident of my ordering the recording of this piece and it arriving two days before Thanksgiving that year - of course I listened to it immediately and repeatedly for the next several days - that accounts for why I associate it with American Thanksgiving.    Like others of his pieces,  such as his first Piano Concerto,  it is topical in its prophetic warning of disaster under the American system and culture.   Only its topicality has only grown through the years.   I am grateful the pianist has posted these videos. 

 I. Barcarolle / Ketjak




II. Largo fantastico (Nachtstuck)


III. Intermezzo 



IV. Marcia risoluto

Jerome Jelinek, cello

Charles Asharian, violin

David Ireland, viola

Joseph Gurt, piano