Reviewed by John Irvine

Gorecki-mania continues unabated! This latest offering from the Kronos Quartet couples a 1989 recording which was previously issued alongside a new work. "Quartet No 1: Already It Is Dusk" was written during Advent 1988 and is an odd piece moving from dissonent harmonies to blocks of violent sound chords. Strangely compelling music - probably even more addictive than the Third Symphony. The piece owes its origins to a 17th century Polish church song of the same title, which was a fervent prayer for deliverance from evil-doers and the powers of darkness. Always a timely sort of prayer in my opinion, though how well this comes across in a 14 minute quartet is a matter of some dispute. Whether the music succeeds per Gorecki's intentions is one question; what fufisu certain is that the piece grips both the spirit and the imagination from start to finish. "Quartet No 2: Quasi Una Fantasia" is a more recent work, commissioned by the Kronos Quartet in 1991. It is a dark and sombre piece punctuated by sharp military-like intrusions which keep the piece 'on edge'. Eventually, Polish folk music wanders in like a troop of gypsies! In this piece Gorecki brings together all of the elements which have inspired him: Polish folk music and the Roman Catholic Church. Excellent stuff.

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