Conor Cantrell

‘ʼBeauty is the consolation for the burden of consciousnessʼʼ

String quartet no. 1 was written in the midst of the corona lockdowns, during a time of deep isolation and itʼs consequent psychological duress. These pieces attempted to throw light into that dark space, seeing beauty as salvation from lifeʼs suffering. As well as having salutary purposes, these compositions served as a tool for self reflection, self discovery and as an exercise in self honesty. Each note was given the necessary time and consideration so as to evoke a feeling of correctness or completeness in me, without arousing a sense of internal conflict. I wanted to arrive at a point of absolute certainty, a feeling that i rarely experience in my everyday life, but with art can be reached with sincerity, reflection and patience.

Movement no. 3:

A fast flow of ideas conveyed through a spirited performance, this piece for string quartet is deceptively playful, disguising its true gravity and darker essence behind fluid dances of folk-like melodies.

Recorded at the MDW in Vienna.

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String Quartet No. 1

String Quartet No. 1, Movement 3

‘ʼBeauty is the consolation for the burden of consciousnessʼʼ

String quartet no. 1 was written in the midst of the corona lockdowns, during a time of deep isolation and itʼs consequent psychological duress. These pieces attempted to throw light into that dark space, seeing beauty as salvation from lifeʼs suffering. As well as having salutary purposes, these compositions served as a tool for self reflection, self discovery and as an exercise in self honesty. Each note was given the necessary time and consideration so as to evoke a feeling of correctness or completeness in me, without arousing a sense of internal conflict. I wanted to arrive at a point of absolute certainty, a feeling that i rarely experience in my everyday life, but with art can be reached with sincerity, reflection and patience.

Movement 2:
This piece for string quartet is the closest iʼve come in 32 years to adequately expressing the feeling of longing that accompanies me through life. Inspired by masterpieces like Barbers Adagio for Strings and Mahlerʼs Adagio in his Symphony no. 5.

Recorded at the MDW in Vienna.

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String Quartet No. 1, Movement 2

‘ʼBeauty is the consolation for the burden of consciousnessʼʼ

String quartet no. 1 was written in the midst of the corona lockdowns, during a time of deep isolation and itʼs consequent psychological duress. These pieces attempted to throw light into that dark space, seeing beauty as salvation from lifeʼs suffering. As well as having salutary purposes, these compositions served as a tool for self reflection, self discovery and as an exercise in self honesty. Each note was given the necessary time and consideration so as to evoke a feeling of correctness or completeness in me, without arousing a sense of internal conflict. I wanted to arrive at a point of absolute certainty, a feeling that i rarely experience in my everyday life, but with art can be reached with sincerity, reflection and patience.

Movement no. 1:

This concise impressionistic exploration is a dynamic interplay of four or five themes. I wanted to build an emotional world and story from a small selection of well considered musical statements; To grow a forest from a few seeds.

Recorded at the MDW in Vienna.

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String Quartet No. 1, Movement 1

A professional musician from the age of fifteen, Conor has earned his way as a multi-instrumentalist and composer and has had the great fortune to study with some of the foremost musicians in the world. He has had the honour to tour with renowned artists such as The Commitments, Imelda May, Republic of Loose, Brexit Big Band, Brian Priestly, and John Dankworth. Conor obtained an Honours Music Degree from Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London, subsequently settling in Berlin, where he now composes and performs with numerous ensembles including The Brandenburger Symphoniker, Savoy Satellites, and Jazz Royal.

Conorʼs eclectic music taste reflects in his varied creative output. Due to a boundless curiosity, he has found challenging the prospect of focusing on single genres exclusively. Having composed classical music, jazz albums, film, pop, and folk music, Conor is learning to accept his dynamic identity as a creative human being, remaining open to lifeʼs experience and its influence.