The title refers to the ‘stube’, the parlour or best room of a farmhouse, which is traditionally wood panelled, and this double disc set is rich in traditionalism and heritage, while at the same time completely contemporary. Quadratr:sch employ the instrumentation conventionally associated with the traditional chamber quartet, and the compositions on the first disc are warm and traditional-sounding, yet at the same time feel timeless.
Throughout the 12 short untitled pieces that comprise disc one is a lightness of touch that makes for an uplifting listening experience. Even the sad-sounding third track, which introduces classical guitar with a slightly flamenco flavour, played against softly has an airiness to it, and the mood is immediately lifted by the bright and breezy fourth part.
On disc 2, the four-piece Quadrat:sch expands to a six-piece (hence the disc is credited to Quadrat:sch Extended) and the compositions are altogether different in style, with greater attention to periods of quiet and even silence across pieces which are less overtly structured, allowing for a more fluid performance style. These more experimental pieces may be interesting on a technical and compositional level, but in terms of the listening experience, don’t hold the attention nearly as well.
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It’s also a long album, the two discs spanning almost an hour and a half. But given the substantial differences between the discs, ‘Stubenmusic’ stands effectively as two separate albums, each offering very different listening experiences, and in terms of contrast, ‘Stubenmusic’ is a resounding success, and the first disc alone makes it worth hearing.
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