With the second album in the Face2Face series, the Amaryllis Quartet continues its artistic vision of understanding music history as a living dialogue between eras and styles. To mark its 20th anniversary, the ensemble once again turns its attention to Ludwig van Beethoven – this time juxtaposing his works with those of Swiss composer Rudolf Kelterborn, one of the most fascinating but little-known composers of the
20th century.
Rudolf Kelterborn (1931–2021) was a musical universalist: he worked as a composer, conductor, music teacher, musicologist and music journalist. Kelterborn’s work is characterised by extraordinary openness and curiosity. He was not afraid to experiment and drew inspiration from a wide variety of styles and musical trends – from Zweite Wiener Schule to avant-garde and postmodern approaches. His compositions defy clear categorisation and are characterised by a deep desire for expression, a nuanced musical language and a passion for exploring new musical spaces. Kelterborn himself described his attitude as ‘anything goes – (almost) everything is allowed’, which is reflected in the versatility and spontaneity of his music.
The Amaryllis Quartet has a special relationship with Kelterborn: not only Switzerland as a common geographical reference point, but also a planned collaboration – which did not happen due to the composer’s death. With great care and empathy, the quartet now approaches Kelterborn’s 6th String Quartet (2001), which is juxtaposed with Beethoven’s works on the new album. The work impresses with its energetic structure, unusual playing techniques and dramaturgically dense composition. Right from the start, with a solo cadenza by the first violin, it draws listeners into a musical maelstrom ranging from expressive outbursts to delicate, almost floating soundscapes. Kelterborn’s music is never an end in itself – it is always a conversation, a search for new means of expression and a questioning of musical conventions.
