DISCOGRAPHY

U P C O M I N G  R E C O R D I N G  P R O J E C T S :

Music of Ian Krouse is regularly being rehearsed and recorded by various ensembles around the world. For additional information on these upcoming recording projects, proceed to its designated page.

N E W  R E L E A S E S :

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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ALBUM

"Cuatro: A Tribute to the Music of Spain," Aquarelle Guitar Quartet
Chandos Records, CD CHAN 10786 released November 2013 Contains: FOLÍAS _______ “a modern set of variations for guitar quartet on one of the oldest and most popular themes for variations in the world: La folia.” John Sunier, CLASSICAL CD REVIEWS, AUDIO FILE AUDITION, January 2, 2014 “Folias by Ian Krouse, the Professor of Theory and Composition at UCLA, makes use of one of the oldest musical themes on record, La Folia. The title means crazy or empty-headed, possibly because of its connection to a fast, energetic, seemingly mindless dance. Krouse wrote his piece for the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, who premiered it in 1992. Two years later they recorded it on An Evening in Granada for Delos. Their performance is slightly slower and more deliberate than that of the Aquarelle Quartet, and the Chandos recording has clearer, more intimate sound with the ambience of a small, intimate concert setting. You can hear that there are four guitars because they seem to be sitting in a row across the front of the stage.”

~Maria Nockin FANFARE MAGAZINE, May-June 2014. “The recording draws to a close with an original composition, the 1992 Guitar Quartet No. 4, 'Folías' by lan Krouse (b.1956). This is quite an extraordinary 16-minute piece, building in tension as the variations become progressively shorter and faster. The actual theme is most clearly stated around the middle of the work with a grand rendering of the famous folia in the style of Corelli; and while there are also references to Baroque guitarist Gaspar Sanz's version and earlier Renaissance versions, the aesthetic here is overwhelmingly modern, leaning towards minimalist repeated notes and patterns. It receives an equally extraordinary performance - confident and characterful.” ~Robert Levett INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW, January, 2014. “Krouse's Folías - the only original composition here for four guitars - successfully combines minimalist techniques with traditional Spanish flavours…Krouse's highly inventive Folías makes for a distinctive end to the programme as the players leave the 'stage' individually, à la Haydn's Farewell Symphony. Serious fun.” ~ William Yoeman GRAMOPHONE, January 14, 2014.
“…the quartet featured a remarkable range of styles in just one piece, the closing item of the concert, Folías by the contemporary composer Ian Krouse. From opening chaos there emerged the harpsichord-like trills of 17th century guitarist Gaspar Sanz, with the melody then dissolving as the musicians left the stage, as dictated by the score.”

~ Colin Davison, GLOUCESTERSHIRE ECHO, July 21, 2014
“The concert ended with a magnificent surprise: “Folías” by Ian Krouse, a piece lasting over fifteen minutes focused around the motif of the ‘folia,’ an old Portuguese dance. This composition was very elaborate, multi-dimensional but very difficult technically. The final performance of the group, as could be expected, was rewarded with great applause, of a truly immense scale.”
[Translated from Polish]

~ Małgorzata Uchecka, KULTURAL, December 3, 2014



 

R E L E A S E D   A L B U M S:

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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ALBUM

Album: Bereishith Artist: Alberto Mesirca, guitar, with Duo NIHZ Label: Samsong Production SAMCD 047 Released: June, 2018 Contains: VARIATIONS ON A MOLDAVIAN HORA Album can be purchased on the Duo NIHZ website here



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COMING SOON! OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE: UNKNOWN Artist: Minneapolis Guitar Quartet
Contains: StarWaves Released: February 16, 2019 Premiered: May 6, 2017 For more information, visit the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet's website. _______ “The other piece on the disc is a commission from American composer Ian Krouse called Starwaves (On a Song of Nick Drake). The “Song” on which Krouse based his work for the MGQ is called “Hanging on a Star” which was one of the last tunes Drake recorded, and didn’t appear on an album until a 1987 release of outtakes and rarities. (Dare to be obscure, Ian!) But it’s a cool song and Krouse and the MGQ use it as a springboard to inventive extrapolations on the original’s brooding rhythmic thrum and haunting melody, and, needless to say, over the course of close to 15 minutes, it goes far, far astray from Drake’s 2:49 version—touching on all sorts of musical moods, from delicate introspective passages to clashing rhythmic bursts. It’s a very compelling, multi-layered piece; a truly unique portrait of a troubled but gentle artist.” Blair Jackson, CLASSICAL GUITAR, April 17, 2019 _______ After Krouse's StarWaves was first commissioned by the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet back in 2017, it was promoted on Classical MPR. "The Minneapolis Guitar Quartet are preparing for a summer tour of China. There's a send-off concert Saturday, May 6, at Sundin Hall at Hamline University. The MGQ's performance will include the world premiere of a new work, "StarWaves," written especially for them by guitar great, Ian Krouse." Staruch, Steve. "Regional Spotlight: Minneapolis Guitar Quartet introduces a new work." 04 May 2017. Classical MPR. https://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2017/05/04/minneapolis-guitar-quartet-introduce-a-new-work “An original work written for the quartet by the UCLA composer Ian Krouse. The
tenth of his eleven guitar quartets, it is entitled Starwaves (On a Song of Nick
Drake). Nick Drake was an English singer/songwriter who committed suicide in his
mid-20s. Krouse has not dealt with suicide directly in Starwaves; rather, he
imagines the emotional roller coaster the suicidal person lives through in his
everyday life. This work is very close to my heart. I survived a suicide attempt in my
late teens, and currently suffer from Bipolar Disorder and anxiety. I have been
dealing with suicidal ideation from day to day for 28 years. Krouse has given
expression to what my emotional life feels like on a daily basis.
"He is not averse to the fact that there can be great beauty in the tristesse one
feels from the fragility of human existence. Even though Starwaves at times builds
to almost unbearable peaks of psychic desolation, the humanity of the suffering soul
never escapes Krouse. There are wonderfully unquiet soft passages that portray the
absence of calm even in silence for the suicidal personality, with a slightly edgy
sense that the music is emotionally a tilt. Even though this is an ensemble piece,
Krouse conveys the isolation the suicidal individual feels and often physically
craves. It is no accident that the two relationships with women Nick Drake had as
an adult apparently never were consummated. Krouse appreciates the terror of
intimacy for the suicidal, and how personal contact can be dangerously unnerving.
Starwaves ends with a feeling of all passion spent, the emotional exhaustion such a
life yields—only to be swept away on the roller coaster once again. As emotionally
draining as Starwaves is, truthfully there should be a da capo after the last note.
The MGQ play this work, which they premiered, with immense sensitivity and
artistry. It only goes to show that there are new vistas and topics for composition
opening up in our generation.”
Dave Saemann, FANFARE, October, 2019 "On this disc, the new work is Ian Krouse's StarWaves, which is tribute to English
singer and songwriter Nick Drake, who took his own life in 1974. StarWaves is
based on Drake's song Hanging On A Star and, in fact, begins by quoting it
literally. Music continues where words leave off, however, and Drake's intimate
vocal style is replaced by the guitar quartet. Over the course of 14 minutes (making
it the longest single-movement work on this CD) Krouse explores the wavelike
ebbing and flowing of Drake's mental state during the period leading up to his
suicide—the period in which he wrote the song. In essence, this is a classical work
based on a rock/pop idea, and it is quite successful, as well as emotionally
involving."
Raymond Tuttle, FANFARE, Summer, 2019 “Starwaves is a new piece by Ian Krouse, commissioned by the MGQ in 2017. It is typical of
Krouse’s music – shifting colors and textures that move back and forth, leading to a
glorious climax. It is built on a recent popular song, Nick Drake’s ‘Hangin’ on a Star.’ But it
stands on its own, and the journey he takes you on is the whole reason for the piece – an
exhilarating 15 minutes.”
Ken Keaton, AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE, June, 2019



CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ALBUM

Album: Da Chara
Artist: Da Chara
Ensemble: David Arroyabe (Violin), Caroline Preißl (Guitar)
Label: ATS-Records (9005216008858)
Released: 2016 Contains: DA CHARA



CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ALBUM

Album: Da Chara
Artist: Da Chara
Ensemble: David Arroyabe (Violin), Caroline Preißl (Guitar)
Label: ATS-Records (9005216008858)
Released: 2016 Contains: DA CHARA



CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ALBUM

Album: Bereishith Artist: Alberto Mesirca, guitar, with Duo NIHZ Label: Samsong Production SAMCD 047 Released: June, 2018 Contains: VARIATIONS ON A MOLDAVIAN HORA Album can be purchased on the Duo NIHZ website here



CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ALBUM

"Cuatro: A Tribute to the Music of Spain," Aquarelle Guitar Quartet
Chandos Records, CD CHAN 10786 released November 2013 Contains: FOLÍAS _______ “a modern set of variations for guitar quartet on one of the oldest and most popular themes for variations in the world: La folia.” John Sunier, CLASSICAL CD REVIEWS, AUDIO FILE AUDITION, January 2, 2014 “Folias by Ian Krouse, the Professor of Theory and Composition at UCLA, makes use of one of the oldest musical themes on record, La Folia. The title means crazy or empty-headed, possibly because of its connection to a fast, energetic, seemingly mindless dance. Krouse wrote his piece for the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, who premiered it in 1992. Two years later they recorded it on An Evening in Granada for Delos. Their performance is slightly slower and more deliberate than that of the Aquarelle Quartet, and the Chandos recording has clearer, more intimate sound with the ambience of a small, intimate concert setting. You can hear that there are four guitars because they seem to be sitting in a row across the front of the stage.”

~Maria Nockin FANFARE MAGAZINE, May-June 2014. “The recording draws to a close with an original composition, the 1992 Guitar Quartet No. 4, 'Folías' by lan Krouse (b.1956). This is quite an extraordinary 16-minute piece, building in tension as the variations become progressively shorter and faster. The actual theme is most clearly stated around the middle of the work with a grand rendering of the famous folia in the style of Corelli; and while there are also references to Baroque guitarist Gaspar Sanz's version and earlier Renaissance versions, the aesthetic here is overwhelmingly modern, leaning towards minimalist repeated notes and patterns. It receives an equally extraordinary performance - confident and characterful.” ~Robert Levett INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW, January, 2014. “Krouse's Folías - the only original composition here for four guitars - successfully combines minimalist techniques with traditional Spanish flavours…Krouse's highly inventive Folías makes for a distinctive end to the programme as the players leave the 'stage' individually, à la Haydn's Farewell Symphony. Serious fun.” ~ William Yoeman GRAMOPHONE, January 14, 2014.
“…the quartet featured a remarkable range of styles in just one piece, the closing item of the concert, Folías by the contemporary composer Ian Krouse. From opening chaos there emerged the harpsichord-like trills of 17th century guitarist Gaspar Sanz, with the melody then dissolving as the musicians left the stage, as dictated by the score.”

~ Colin Davison, GLOUCESTERSHIRE ECHO, July 21, 2014
“The concert ended with a magnificent surprise: “Folías” by Ian Krouse, a piece lasting over fifteen minutes focused around the motif of the ‘folia,’ an old Portuguese dance. This composition was very elaborate, multi-dimensional but very difficult technically. The final performance of the group, as could be expected, was rewarded with great applause, of a truly immense scale.”
[Translated from Polish]

~ Małgorzata Uchecka, KULTURAL, December 3, 2014



CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ALBUM

Album: Da Chara
Artist: Da Chara
Ensemble: David Arroyabe (Violin), Caroline Preißl (Guitar)
Label: ATS-Records (9005216008858)
Released: 2016 Contains: DA CHARA



CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ALBUM

Album: Da Chara
Artist: Da Chara
Ensemble: David Arroyabe (Violin), Caroline Preißl (Guitar)
Label: ATS-Records (9005216008858)
Released: 2016 Contains: DA CHARA



CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ALBUM

"Cuatro: A Tribute to the Music of Spain," Aquarelle Guitar Quartet
Chandos Records, CD CHAN 10786 released November 2013 Contains: FOLÍAS _______ “a modern set of variations for guitar quartet on one of the oldest and most popular themes for variations in the world: La folia.” John Sunier, CLASSICAL CD REVIEWS, AUDIO FILE AUDITION, January 2, 2014 “Folias by Ian Krouse, the Professor of Theory and Composition at UCLA, makes use of one of the oldest musical themes on record, La Folia. The title means crazy or empty-headed, possibly because of its connection to a fast, energetic, seemingly mindless dance. Krouse wrote his piece for the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, who premiered it in 1992. Two years later they recorded it on An Evening in Granada for Delos. Their performance is slightly slower and more deliberate than that of the Aquarelle Quartet, and the Chandos recording has clearer, more intimate sound with the ambience of a small, intimate concert setting. You can hear that there are four guitars because they seem to be sitting in a row across the front of the stage.”

~Maria Nockin FANFARE MAGAZINE, May-June 2014. “The recording draws to a close with an original composition, the 1992 Guitar Quartet No. 4, 'Folías' by lan Krouse (b.1956). This is quite an extraordinary 16-minute piece, building in tension as the variations become progressively shorter and faster. The actual theme is most clearly stated around the middle of the work with a grand rendering of the famous folia in the style of Corelli; and while there are also references to Baroque guitarist Gaspar Sanz's version and earlier Renaissance versions, the aesthetic here is overwhelmingly modern, leaning towards minimalist repeated notes and patterns. It receives an equally extraordinary performance - confident and characterful.” ~Robert Levett INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW, January, 2014. “Krouse's Folías - the only original composition here for four guitars - successfully combines minimalist techniques with traditional Spanish flavours…Krouse's highly inventive Folías makes for a distinctive end to the programme as the players leave the 'stage' individually, à la Haydn's Farewell Symphony. Serious fun.” ~ William Yoeman GRAMOPHONE, January 14, 2014.
“…the quartet featured a remarkable range of styles in just one piece, the closing item of the concert, Folías by the contemporary composer Ian Krouse. From opening chaos there emerged the harpsichord-like trills of 17th century guitarist Gaspar Sanz, with the melody then dissolving as the musicians left the stage, as dictated by the score.”

~ Colin Davison, GLOUCESTERSHIRE ECHO, July 21, 2014
“The concert ended with a magnificent surprise: “Folías” by Ian Krouse, a piece lasting over fifteen minutes focused around the motif of the ‘folia,’ an old Portuguese dance. This composition was very elaborate, multi-dimensional but very difficult technically. The final performance of the group, as could be expected, was rewarded with great applause, of a truly immense scale.”
[Translated from Polish]

~ Małgorzata Uchecka, KULTURAL, December 3, 2014



CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ALBUM

Album: Bereishith Artist: Alberto Mesirca, guitar, with Duo NIHZ Label: Samsong Production SAMCD 047 Released: June, 2018 Contains: VARIATIONS ON A MOLDAVIAN HORA Album can be purchased on the Duo NIHZ website here



CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ALBUM

"Cuatro: A Tribute to the Music of Spain," Aquarelle Guitar Quartet
Chandos Records, CD CHAN 10786 released November 2013 Contains: FOLÍAS _______ “a modern set of variations for guitar quartet on one of the oldest and most popular themes for variations in the world: La folia.” John Sunier, CLASSICAL CD REVIEWS, AUDIO FILE AUDITION, January 2, 2014 “Folias by Ian Krouse, the Professor of Theory and Composition at UCLA, makes use of one of the oldest musical themes on record, La Folia. The title means crazy or empty-headed, possibly because of its connection to a fast, energetic, seemingly mindless dance. Krouse wrote his piece for the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, who premiered it in 1992. Two years later they recorded it on An Evening in Granada for Delos. Their performance is slightly slower and more deliberate than that of the Aquarelle Quartet, and the Chandos recording has clearer, more intimate sound with the ambience of a small, intimate concert setting. You can hear that there are four guitars because they seem to be sitting in a row across the front of the stage.”

~Maria Nockin FANFARE MAGAZINE, May-June 2014. “The recording draws to a close with an original composition, the 1992 Guitar Quartet No. 4, 'Folías' by lan Krouse (b.1956). This is quite an extraordinary 16-minute piece, building in tension as the variations become progressively shorter and faster. The actual theme is most clearly stated around the middle of the work with a grand rendering of the famous folia in the style of Corelli; and while there are also references to Baroque guitarist Gaspar Sanz's version and earlier Renaissance versions, the aesthetic here is overwhelmingly modern, leaning towards minimalist repeated notes and patterns. It receives an equally extraordinary performance - confident and characterful.” ~Robert Levett INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW, January, 2014. “Krouse's Folías - the only original composition here for four guitars - successfully combines minimalist techniques with traditional Spanish flavours…Krouse's highly inventive Folías makes for a distinctive end to the programme as the players leave the 'stage' individually, à la Haydn's Farewell Symphony. Serious fun.” ~ William Yoeman GRAMOPHONE, January 14, 2014.
“…the quartet featured a remarkable range of styles in just one piece, the closing item of the concert, Folías by the contemporary composer Ian Krouse. From opening chaos there emerged the harpsichord-like trills of 17th century guitarist Gaspar Sanz, with the melody then dissolving as the musicians left the stage, as dictated by the score.”

~ Colin Davison, GLOUCESTERSHIRE ECHO, July 21, 2014
“The concert ended with a magnificent surprise: “Folías” by Ian Krouse, a piece lasting over fifteen minutes focused around the motif of the ‘folia,’ an old Portuguese dance. This composition was very elaborate, multi-dimensional but very difficult technically. The final performance of the group, as could be expected, was rewarded with great applause, of a truly immense scale.”
[Translated from Polish]

~ Małgorzata Uchecka, KULTURAL, December 3, 2014



CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ALBUM

"Cuatro: A Tribute to the Music of Spain," Aquarelle Guitar Quartet
Chandos Records, CD CHAN 10786 released November 2013 Contains: FOLÍAS _______ “a modern set of variations for guitar quartet on one of the oldest and most popular themes for variations in the world: La folia.” John Sunier, CLASSICAL CD REVIEWS, AUDIO FILE AUDITION, January 2, 2014 “Folias by Ian Krouse, the Professor of Theory and Composition at UCLA, makes use of one of the oldest musical themes on record, La Folia. The title means crazy or empty-headed, possibly because of its connection to a fast, energetic, seemingly mindless dance. Krouse wrote his piece for the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, who premiered it in 1992. Two years later they recorded it on An Evening in Granada for Delos. Their performance is slightly slower and more deliberate than that of the Aquarelle Quartet, and the Chandos recording has clearer, more intimate sound with the ambience of a small, intimate concert setting. You can hear that there are four guitars because they seem to be sitting in a row across the front of the stage.”

~Maria Nockin FANFARE MAGAZINE, May-June 2014. “The recording draws to a close with an original composition, the 1992 Guitar Quartet No. 4, 'Folías' by lan Krouse (b.1956). This is quite an extraordinary 16-minute piece, building in tension as the variations become progressively shorter and faster. The actual theme is most clearly stated around the middle of the work with a grand rendering of the famous folia in the style of Corelli; and while there are also references to Baroque guitarist Gaspar Sanz's version and earlier Renaissance versions, the aesthetic here is overwhelmingly modern, leaning towards minimalist repeated notes and patterns. It receives an equally extraordinary performance - confident and characterful.” ~Robert Levett INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW, January, 2014. “Krouse's Folías - the only original composition here for four guitars - successfully combines minimalist techniques with traditional Spanish flavours…Krouse's highly inventive Folías makes for a distinctive end to the programme as the players leave the 'stage' individually, à la Haydn's Farewell Symphony. Serious fun.” ~ William Yoeman GRAMOPHONE, January 14, 2014.
“…the quartet featured a remarkable range of styles in just one piece, the closing item of the concert, Folías by the contemporary composer Ian Krouse. From opening chaos there emerged the harpsichord-like trills of 17th century guitarist Gaspar Sanz, with the melody then dissolving as the musicians left the stage, as dictated by the score.”

~ Colin Davison, GLOUCESTERSHIRE ECHO, July 21, 2014
“The concert ended with a magnificent surprise: “Folías” by Ian Krouse, a piece lasting over fifteen minutes focused around the motif of the ‘folia,’ an old Portuguese dance. This composition was very elaborate, multi-dimensional but very difficult technically. The final performance of the group, as could be expected, was rewarded with great applause, of a truly immense scale.”
[Translated from Polish]

~ Małgorzata Uchecka, KULTURAL, December 3, 2014



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