Kris De Ruysscher (b. 1971) - String Quintet 'At Mr Haydn's Request' (2025)
© Thanks to Kris De Ruysscher - @krisderuysscher
https://www.krisderuysscher.com/
Composer: Kris De Ruysscher (b. 1971)
Work: String Quintet 'At Mr Haydn's Request' (2025)
Performers: Kateryna Mytrofanova & Oleksiy Zavgorodniy (violins); Anastasia Boyko (viola); Jana Malentzova & Oleh Mytrofanov (cello)
Recorded in the Ukraine by the OM Quintet. Mixed and mastered by Mauricio Serna at io Recording in Medellín, Colombia.
String Quintet 'At Mr Haydn's Request' (2025)
1. Allegro 0:00
2. Andante 9:01
3. Minuetto 13:01
4. Trio, rondo 15:23
Drawing: Wilhelm Bendz (1804-1832) - Et tobaksselskab. Justitsråd Jürgensens søndagsselskab
HD image: https://flic.kr/p/2rwCVAU
Further info: https://krisderuysscher.bandcamp.com/
Listen free: https://krisderuysscher.bandcamp.com/album/string-quintet-nr-1-at-mr-haydns-request
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Kris De Ruysscher (1971) is a contemporary Belgian composer known for blending modern classical, cinematic, ambient, and post-minimalist music. His compositions create rich sonic landscapes that evoke both intellectual and emotional responses. His music features in documentaries, films, installations, and dance performances, valued for its cinematic atmosphere and emotional depth. Using delicate harmonies, polyrhythms, polytonality, and layered soundscapes, he often conveys a subtle melancholy. As a finalist in international competitions, he also teaches composition and guitar. Currently, he is Composer-in-Residence at Brussels Muzieque, curating performances and collaborating with international artists. His works are published by Groovy Scarab Music Publishing and ASCAP.
ABOUT THE PIECE:
This 25-minute string quintet for two violins, two violas, and a cello channels the elegance and wit of the Classical era, evoking Joseph Haydn’s spirit—combining humor and depth within structured forms. The work, titled "Synfonia," is composed of five movements: Allegro, Andante, Minuetto, Trio, and Rondo, and offers more than pastiche; it reflects on the relevance of historical style in modern times. The lively Allegro features playful interplay and rhythmic vitality, reminiscent of Haydn. The Andante shifts to a reflective mood with lush harmonies and emotional nuance. The Minuetto returns with playful rhythms and subtle deliberate dissonances, acknowledging tradition while embracing modern emotional expression. The lively Trio exudes folk-inspired joy, and the Rondo concludes with spirited themes and complex counterpoint, symbolizing life's ups and downs. The piece asserts its identity as pure classical music, intentionally blending tradition with contemporary sensibilities.