While numerous composers looked back to some extent on the past also in the post-war decades, Matthijs Vermeulen and Ton de Leeuw were exploring innovative directions within the quartet genre. Ton de Leeuw’s first String quartet is mainly based on Schoenberg’s twelve tone techniques, but without his expressionism. His second is a reflection of De Leeuw’s travels to the far east. Matthijs Vermeulen’s only quartet seeks a part of the future in the distant past, with its ecstatic singing in intricate polyphonic textures that share much in common with the polyphony of the great Renaissance masters.
Ton de Leeuw (1926-1996) – String quartet no.1 (1957/8)
- Moderato, 2. Andante, 3. Tranquilo, 4. Con moto, 5. Molto lento, 6. Molto tranquillo
Gaudeamus Quartet
Recording: Omega
Matthijs Vermeulen (1888-1967) – String quartet (1960/61)
- Tranquillo-Allegro appassionato, 2. Andante, 3. Molto animato
Performed by: Schoenberg Quartet
CD: Etcetera
Ton de Leeuw (1926-1996) – String quartet no.2 (1964)
Performed by: Gaudeamus Quartet
Recording: Composers’ Voice
Robert de Roos (1907-1976) – String quartet no.7 (1971) ‘Quartettino’
- Andante
Performed by: Utrecht String Quartet
CD: MDG
