CD of the Week - "Fauré Quartett: Popsongs"

CD of the Week
Fauré Quartett: "Popsongs" (Deutsche Grammophon) 2009

Rating: ***** (performance and audio quality)
It's not jazz, but it's better, more inventive and more provocative than most of the dozens of jazz records I receive each week.
A really amazing album, full of creative energy and impeccable performances by the Fauré Quartett (Erika Geldsetzer on violin, Sascha Frombling on viola, Konstantin Heidrich on cello & Dirk Mommertz on piano), featuring unpredictable chamber arrangements - by the likes of Peter Hinderthur, Wieland Reissman and producer Sven Helbig - of pop tunes.
Highlights: N.E.R.D.'s "Wonderful Place," Ben Folds Five's "Don't Change Your Plans," Pet Shop Boys' "Dreaming of the Queen," Polarkreis 18's "River Loves the Ocean," Steely Dan's "Charlie Freak," and System of a Down's "Chop Suey!"
Recorded, mixed & edited by Tobias Lehman at Teldex Studios (Berlin) in May/July 2009. Gorgeous sound quality for a perfect album!