Wolfgang Rihm about the DoelenQuartet

 

The critic Frits van der Waa once suggested that Rotterdam composers can be distinguished from their colleagues because they read, for most of them have always been greatly influenced by literature in their works. With particular reference to the works recorded here, one could state that the composers look: three of the six have found their inspiration in the visual arts.

 

Now that the 20th century lies behind us we can state that the string quartet, after its birth in the 18th century and its blossoming in the 19th century, has reached the 21st century in great style. That such works do not come about without effort was summed up by Wolfgang Rihm: the string quartet is a medium with which you have to struggle, ‘like a dog, it can bite back but is loving’.

 

The DoelenQuartet is passionate about making this sometimes painful and yet loving compositional struggle audible and keeps in close touch with the latest musical developments. Their collaboration with such composers as Dutilleux, Boesmans, Rihm, Birtwistle, Wagemans and many others is a great source of inspiration to them; that the DoelenQuartet in their turn are an inspiration for their composers can be seen from the passion that resides in the music composed for the quartet.

 

The DoelenQuartet has performed in such important Dutch music festivals as the Gergiev Festival, the international Gaudeamus Muziekweek and the Hortus Festival. Åsa Olsson is much in demand as a soloist in many musical genres and styles, working with the Ensemble Intercontemporain, Schönberg Ensemble, Ebony Band, Gesualdo Consort and the Doelen Ensemble. As a freelance percussionist Wilbert Grootenboer has played for many different orchestras and ensembles, these including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, the German / Dutch ensemble S and Duo Contemporain.