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Dress Code
Altius Quartet
Joshua Ulrich violin
Andrew Giordano violin
Andrew Krimm viola
Zachary Reaves cello
Navona Records proudly presents DRESS CODE, the debut release from Colorado-based string ensemble Altius Quartet. Comprised of violinists Joshua Ulrich and Andrew Giordano, violist Andrew Krimm, and cellist Zachary Reaves, the quartet’s core mission is to strive for universality in their music and communicate directly with their listeners.
It’s this outlook that led to DRESS CODE’s eclectic blend of genres, with works from eighteenth-century classical repertoire to 1980s pop being presented both on their own and combined in new arrangements. Altius attributes the album’s appeal for a wide range of musical palates to “each work being derived from a universal source of invention and innovation, representative of the times in history from whence they came.”
Interspersed between the album’s more contemporary arrangements are movements of two classical works from vastly different eras. Drawing from the classical period themes of Franz Josef Haydn’s Quartet in C Major, Op.74 No. 1 (1793) and the ragtime sensibilities of William Bolcom’s Three Ghost Rags (1970), the quartet emulates the works’ playfulness in a way which makes for seamless transitions between their more mainstream song selections.
Reaves provides fresh arrangements of these popular staples, which include a medley of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” and “Kashmir”; Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me”; and a-ha’s “Take on Me.” Perhaps the most unique arrangement among these newer pieces is Take It, an unlikely pairing of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five.” The result is a bold endeavor which pays equal homage to both songs while creating an invigorating new composition in the process; one that effortlessly combines the appeal of classical, jazz, and pop.
DRESS CODE offers much in the way of musical treats, all of which are bolstered by Altius’ proficient playing and clear cohesion as an ensemble. And even after the album concludes, perceptive listeners might even discover some hidden gems from the quartet’s playbook lying just beneath the surface.
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"An electrifying jounrey"
Track Listing & Credits
# | Title | Composer | Performer | |
---|---|---|---|---|
01 | String Quartet in C Major, Op. 74 No. 1, Hob. III:72: I. Allegro moderato | Franz Joseph Haydn | Altius Quartet | Joshua Ulrich, violin; Andrew Giordano, violin; Andrew Krimm, viola; Zachary Reaves, cello | 6:47 |
02 | Take It (Arr. Z. Reaves for String Quartet) | Dave Brubeck/Michael Jackson, arr. Zachary Reaves | Altius Quartet | Joshua Ulrich, violin; Andrew Giordano, violin; Andrew Krimm, viola; Zachary Reaves, cello | 4:15 |
03 | 3 Rags for String Quartet: No. 1, Graceful Ghost | William Bolcom | Altius Quartet | Joshua Ulrich, violin; Andrew Giordano, violin; Andrew Krimm, viola; Zachary Reaves, cello | 3:44 |
04 | Stairway to Heaven / Kashmir (Arr. Z. Reaves for String Quartet) | Led Zeppelin, arr. Zachary Reaves | Altius Quartet | Joshua Ulrich, violin; Andrew Giordano, violin; Andrew Krimm, viola; Zachary Reaves, cello | 7:10 |
05 | String Quartet in C Major, Op. 74 No. 1, Hob. III:72: II. Andantino grazioso | Franz Joseph Haydn | Altius Quartet | Joshua Ulrich, violin; Andrew Giordano, violin; Andrew Krimm, viola; Zachary Reaves, cello | 6:14 |
06 | 3 Rags for String Quartet: No. 2, Poltergeist | William Bolcom | Altius Quartet | Joshua Ulrich, violin; Andrew Giordano, violin; Andrew Krimm, viola; Zachary Reaves, cello | 4:13 |
07 | String Quartet in C Major, Op. 74 No. 1, Hob. III:72: III. Menuetto. Allegro - Trio | Franz Joseph Haydn | Altius Quartet | Joshua Ulrich, violin; Andrew Giordano, violin; Andrew Krimm, viola; Zachary Reaves, cello | 4:18 |
08 | 3 Rags for String Quartet: No. 3, Incineratorag | William Bolcom | Altius Quartet | Joshua Ulrich, violin; Andrew Giordano, violin; Andrew Krimm, viola; Zachary Reaves, cello | 3:31 |
09 | Stand by Me (Arr. Z. Reaves for String Quartet) | Ben E. King, arr. Zachary Reaves | Altius Quartet | Joshua Ulrich, violin; Andrew Giordano, violin; Andrew Krimm, viola; Zachary Reaves, cello | 2:55 |
10 | String Quartet in C Major, Op. 74 No. 1, Hob. III:72 | Franz Joseph Haydn | Altius Quartet | Joshua Ulrich, violin; Andrew Giordano, violin; Andrew Krimm, viola; Zachary Reaves, cello | 5:43 |
11 | Take On Me (Arr. Z. Reaves for String Quartet) | a-ha, arr. Zachary Reaves | Altius Quartet | Joshua Ulrich, violin; Andrew Giordano, violin; Andrew Krimm, viola; Zachary Reaves, cello | 3:16 |
12 | Mustang Sally (Arr. Z. Reaves for String Quartet) | Mack Rice, arr. Zachary Reaves | Altius Quartet | Joshua Ulrich, violin; Andrew Giordano, violin; Andrew Krimm, viola; Zachary Reaves, cello | 2:45 |
Recorded July 12-15, 2016 in Grusin Hall in Imig Music Building, University of Colorado – Boulder
Recording Session Producer Stephanie Mientka
Recording Session Engineer Kevin Harbison
Cover Photography Courtney Huffman
Location Boulder, Colorado
Executive Producer Bob Lord
Executive A&R Sam Renshaw
A&R Alex Bourne
Audio Director Jeff LeRoy
Production Engineer Lucas Paquette
Mastering Shaun Michaud, Lucas Paquette
Art & Production Director Brett Picknell
Graphic Design Emily Roulo
Marketing Scott Murphy
Artist Information
Altius Quartet
The Colorado-based Altius Quartet has dedicated itself to expanding traditional notions of the string quartet. Members Hannah Kennedy and Andrew Giordano (violins), Allyson Stibbards (viola), and Erin Patterson (cello) are equally at home as performers, mentors, and educators, and strive to fulfill each of those roles at the highest possible level. Altius has received critical acclaim for their recordings, including Fanfare Magazine describing their 2017 release Shostakovich: String Quartets Nos. 7, 8, and 9” as “visceral and wrenching”. Altius was also hailed as “rich” and “captivating” by the renowned music blog I Care If You Listen.