Maurice Ravel (1875-1937): String Quartet in F major (1903)
Louis Durey (1888-1979): String Quartet No. 1, Op. 10 (1917)
Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983): String Quartet (1917-19)
Darius Milhaud (1892-1974): String Quartet No. 4, Op. 46 (1918)

This new release by the Brother Tree Sound quartet, showcases string quartets from French composers, all composed at the onset of the 20th century, an extremely busy and fruitful time in the history of music when it, along with everything else, was undergoing radical changes. Hence the title of the CD.

The main work here is the groundbreaking and trendsetting String Quartet in F major by Maurice Ravel, a chamber music work that set classical music on its ear. It's performed here with expressive abandon and flair, and a high level of dynamic energy, especially during its final Vif et agité movement.

But oddly enough, it's the much lesser-known String Quartet No. 1 by Louis Durey (1888-1979), a composer who was briefly a member of Les Six, and is almost completely forgotten now, that is the standout work in my opinion. More specifically its inner slow movement which pulls you into its darker colors. Also quite off the beaten track is the String Quartet No. 4 by the unconventional Darius Milhaud, composed during his stay in Brazil. Once again it's the inner Funèbre movement which pushes the boundaries of expression and utterance that grabs your attention.

All in all a program that well captures and conveys the unease and disquiet of the times, played with utter conviction by an ensemble to follow.