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Markus Reuter: String Quartet No.1 ‘Heartland’     

Dear Friends In Music

Let me introduce You to String Quartet No. 1 'Heartland" (Solaire Records), the Opus Magnum of my dear friend and MoonJunista extraordinaire Markus Reuter, whom I consider one of the giants of the music of XXI Century, and one of the greatest musicians I've ever met and/or worked with. With the seminal progressive rock band Stick Men of which he is the integral part and the driving force (featuring Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto) we have traveled together and extensively on 4 continents, reinforcing our friendship and brainstorming many ideas. Markus is also one of the driving force of the new MoonJune, recording several collaborative projects at the idyllic settings of La Casa Murada, a XII century mansion converted to the temple of music, located 1hr west of Barcelona, where many more innovative projects with Markus Reuter will be recorded in the near future.

Please support Markus Reuter if You can, getting this incredible album available in multiple formats.

​​​​​​​Direct link: https://iapetus-store.com/album/string-quartet-no-1-heartland

String Quartet No. 1 'Heartland": A fascinating exploration of a vast sonic landscape! Reuter’s music is always innovative; whether on the most modern of instruments or, as here, on ancient ones. Complex, layered, and beautiful, this music resonates deeply and forges new pathways in the classical form. Amazingly, there are no repeated phrases in these pieces, giving the listening an thrilling ride of unexpected twists. - Sean Barnes


Markus Reuter's String Quartet No.1 'Heartland' is available as a high-resolution download (stereo and surround) or luxurious CD-Edition inside an ECM-style slipcase with a 44-page booklet featuring expansive liner notes, exclusive photography and contributions by Tony Levin and Frank Schätzing.

Available in the following formats, check this direct link:
https://iapetus-store.com/album/string-quartet-no-1-heartland

1) Deluxe CD with 44-page booklet / Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Physical release in luxurious slipcase. Comes with a separate 44-page booklet, featuring in-depth articles, essays and photography. Includes digital pre-order of String Quartet No.1 ‘Heartland'. / €15.12 EUR + shipping / AUTOGRAPHED €24 EUR + shipping

2) 2" Double Vinyl (strictly limited to 100 copies) / Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Includes digital pre-order of String Quartet No.1 'Heartland'.
€34 EUR + shipping

3) Digital download / €11.98

4) 192kHz/24bit Super Hi-Res Digital Download / €21.50 EUR

5) Full Score for String Quartet (Print Version) / Sheet Music. Edition of 50.
A4-sized 72-page softcover book including the original full scores for all 8 movements of Markus Reuter’s String Quartet No.1 'Heartland'. / €30 EUR + shipping

6) Full Score for String Quartet (PDF Version) / Sheet Music
One PDF file including the original full scores for all 8 movements of Markus Reuter's String Quartet No.1 'Heartland'. / €13.44 EUR

For all orders that include digital downloads, You get 2 tracks now (streaming via the free Bandcamp app and also available as a high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more), plus the complete album the moment it’s released on April 12.

​​​​​​​Direct link: https://iapetus-store.com/album/string-quartet-no-1-heartland


After years of preparation and planning, Solaire Records are proud and excited to present 'Heartland', Markus Reuter's first string quartet. The album sees Markus further explore his algorithmically- supported composing technique to create a sonic language that will surprise even long-standing supporters. After spending months listening to most of music history's major string quartets, Markus ultimately decided to break with tradition and approach things from an entirely unique angle. Working closely with Oval's Markus Popp, the tracks were built using a pool of self-referential musical fractals. By combining them into deeply layered structures, every single bar of music is related to what preceeds and follows it, even though there is not a single mechanical repetition in these pieces.

Performed by the prestigious Matangi Quartet and recorded by award-winning producer Dirk Fischer, Heartland is a journey to the borders of melody and harmony: Driving, sensual, serene and moving.

Matangi Quartet:
Maria-Paula Majoor, violin 1
Daniel Torrico Menacho, violin 2
Karsten Kleijer, viola
Arno van der Vuurst, violoncello

Recorded 17 & 18 October 2018 in Kirche Zum Heiligen Kreuz, Berli .
Recording producer, balance engineer, editing: Dirk Fischer.
released on Solaire Records, April 2019.

​​​​​​​Direct link: https://iapetus-store.com/album/string-quartet-no-1-heartland

Boon Video: https://youtu.be/mFMeTMcIvx0
Heartland Promo Video, Part 1: http://youtu.be/LKCi8D_SbjI
Heartland Promo Video, Part 2: http://youtu.be/3wPCQlgb-Hk

MARKUS REUTER

Markus Reuter earned his spurs in rock and electronica, but found his true calling as a composer. After working in influential band constellations for two decades, Reuter developed a process allowing for the creation of equally complex and accessible works in an expanded tonal environment.

Reuter’s studies started out with a classical education on the mandolin, guitar and piano and theoretical classes with composer Karlheinz Straetmanns. Visiting the school of legendary guitarist Robert Fripp marked an important change in direction. Through Fripp, Reuter developed ties to the individual members of avant-garde rock supergroup King Crimson, with whom he would perform in constantly changing projects and constellations.

The return to composition came in 2010 with the work “Modus Novus” for guitar quartet. An expansion of ideas pioneered by Messiaen, the underlaying concept allow for the creation of vast modal spaces outside of major/minor progressions and the tonality/dissonance polarity. The approach fully came to fruition with “Todmorden 513”, hailed by critic Gregory Applegate as “one of the most important orchestral works of our era.”

New work has since further raised his profile. Reuter appreciates the respect, although it remains his biggest wish to disappear completely behind the music: “In an ideal world there would be no need for my music to be interpreted. If I succeed as a composer, everything will be “on the page” and all the performer has to do is to play the music.”

MATANGI QUARTET

Matangi is the Indian goddess of speech, music and writing. The vina that she carries in her hand is an instrument that produces deep sounds with pleasing overtones. Matangi transports het listeners with her playing on the strings of passion, fervour, love and ecstasy.

The Matangi Quartet was founded in 1999 by four young musicians studying at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague and the Conservatory of Rotterdam. Since then, the group developed into a regular performer in the Dutch chamber music scene and abroad. With their impassioned playing and smart presentation, Maria-Paula, Daniel, Karsten and Arno epitomize a new generation of classical musicians. They are often characterized by words such as communicative, provocative and refreshingly versatile.

Matangi regularly participates in innovative crossover projects and has performed in collaboration with renowned Dutch and international artists. These pioneering excursions beyond the borders of classical music have resulted in Matangi winning an enthusiastic new audience for the string quartet. No less important, this has provided a source of inspiration for infusing performances of the rich classical repertoire built up over the past 250 years - from Haydn to Adés - with new élan. For essentially, the Matangi are focused on just one thing: letting the audience palpably experience the energy, passion and excitement that is inherent in all good music.

All four musicians perform on instruments of Dutch workmanship. The cello and first violin have been provided on loan by Dutch Musical Instrument Foundation.



 
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