Cold Farmer für Streichquartett (1990)
“Cold Farmer” was “like stepping into the unknown and the threatening” for the composer … There are some folk-like elements in the violin, some Shostakovich-like moments of repose, the stability of pedal notes and ostinati, sometimes transparently expressive melodic lines, and all of the emotional swings and roundabouts that you would want from a good string quartet … The music is expressive but uncompromising, filled with gritty passion and unfulfilled longings.
Against all preconceptions and expectations I have enjoyed this well-recorded CD from ECM immensely, and recommend it wholeheartedly.
Dominy Clemens, Music Web, November 2006