Dress Code Altius Quartet

• Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809):
• 1 String Quartet No. 57 in C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob.III:72: I. Allegro moderato 06:47
• Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009), Dave Brubeck (1920 - 2012):
• 2 Take It (arr. Z. Reaves for string quartet) 04:15
• William Bolcom (b.1938):
• 3 3 Rags for String Quartet: 3 Ghost Rags: No. 2. Graceful Ghost (arr. for string quartet) 03:44
• John Bonham (1948 - 1980), Robert Plant (b.1948), Jimmy Page (b.1944):
• 4 Stairway to Heaven - Kashmir (arr. Z. Reaves for string quartet) 07:10
• Franz Joseph Haydn
• 5 String Quartet No. 57 in C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob.III:72: II. Andantino grazioso 06:14
• William Bolcom
• 6 3 Rags for String Quartet: 3 Ghost Rags: No. 1. The Poltergeist (arr. for string quartet) 04:13
• Franz Joseph Haydn
• 7 String Quartet No. 57 in C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob.III:72: III. Menuetto: Allegro - Trio 04:18
• William Bolcom
• 8 3 Rags for String Quartet: 3 Ghost Rags: No. 3. Incineratorag (arr. for string quartet) 03:31
• Ben E. King (1938 - 2015), Jerry Leiber (1933 - 2011), Mike Stoller (b.1933):
• 9 Stand by Me (arr. Z. Reaves for string quartet) 02:55
• Franz Joseph Haydn
• 10 String Quartet No. 57 in C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob.III:72: IV. Finale: Vivace 05:43
• Morten Harket (b.1959), Paul Waaktaar-Savoy (b.1961), Magne Furuholmen (b.1962):
• 11 Take on Me (arr. Z. Reaves for string quartet) 03:16
• Mack Rice (1933 - 2016):
• 12 Mustang Sally (arr. for string quartet) 02:46
• Total Runtime 54:52

Info for Dress Code

Navona Records proudly presents DRESS CODE, the debut release from Colorado-based string ensemble Altius Quartet. Comprised of violinists Joshua Ulrich and Andrew Giordano, violist Andrew Krimm, and cellist Zachary Reaves, the quartet’s core mission is to strive for universality in their music and communicate directly with their listeners.

It’s this outlook that led to DRESS CODE’s eclectic blend of genres, with works from eighteenth-century classical repertoire to 1980s pop being presented both on their own and combined in new arrangements. Altius attributes the album’s appeal for a wide range of musical palates to “each work being derived from a universal source of invention and innovation, representative of the times in history from whence they came.”

Interspersed between the album’s more contemporary arrangements are movements of two classical works from vastly different eras. Drawing from the classical period themes of Franz Josef Haydn’s Quartet in C Major, Op.74 No. 1 (1793) and the ragtime sensibilities of William Bolcom’s Three Ghost Rags (1970), the quartet emulates the works’ playfulness in a way which makes for seamless transitions between their more mainstream song selections.

Reaves provides fresh arrangements of these popular staples, which include a medley of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” and “Kashmir”; Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me”; and a-ha’s “Take on Me.” Perhaps the most unique arrangement among these newer pieces is Take It, an unlikely pairing of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five.” The result is a bold endeavor which pays equal homage to both songs while creating an invigorating new composition in the process; one that effortlessly combines the appeal of classical, jazz, and pop.

DRESS CODE offers much in the way of musical treats, all of which are bolstered by Altius’ proficient playing and clear cohesion as an ensemble. And even after the album concludes, perceptive listeners might even discover some hidden gems from the quartet’s playbook lying just beneath the surface.

Altius Quartet

Altius Quartet
is an ensemble determined to further the art of chamber music through performance, education, and outreach. Deriving their name from the Olympic motto Citius, Altius, Fortius (Latin for "Faster, Higher, Stronger"), Altius strives to communicate their vision of conveying art to a more diverse audience and engaging directly with the community. Hailed as "rich" and "captivating" by the renowned music blog, "I Care If You Listen," the Altius Quartet is garnering an international reputation and enrapturing the hearts of audiences through their charisma and dynamism.

Altius has been awarded prizes at many internationally respected competitions including the 2016 Alice and Eleonore Schoenfeld International String Competition, the 2014 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the 2014 Coltman Chamber Music Competition, and the 2013 Plowman Chamber Music Competition.

Formed in 2011 at Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts, Altius currently holds the position as Fellowship String Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Colorado-Boulder, where they are mentored by the Takács Quartet. The quartet has an active performance schedule of engagements at music festivals, series, and universities throughout the United States. These include Carnegie Hall, Chamber Music Cincinnati, Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, and the Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival.

During their tenure at Southern Methodist University, Altius Quartet served as Ensemble- in-Residence working closely with Matt Albert, Emanuel Borok, and Andres Diaz. In addition, Altius has worked with and been guided by many of the foremost artists in chamber music including the Emerson String Quartet, Miró Quartet, Shanghai Quartet, and Kronos Quartet. In addition, Altius has collaborated with many celebrated artists including Håkan Rosengren, Anton Nel, Andres Diaz, Peter Nágy, and Geraldine Walther.

Altius Quartet is deeply committed to outreach, often performing concerts and teaching master classes in public schools and alternative venues including jazz clubs, bars, and cafes. In 2014, the quartet partnered with the Aspen Music Festival and School for annual educational outreach residencies. In addition, the quartet served as the 2014 Fellowship Quartet at the Music in the Mountains Conservatory in Durango, CO, where they had the opportunity to coach several young string quartets.

This album contains no booklet.