Yonatan Gat has teamed with members of Deerhoof and Mdou Moctar for a new album. The guitarist will share American Quartet on November 4 via Stone Tapes/Joyful Noise Recordings/Mothland.
Following 2018's Universalists, Gat's American Quartet is a reinterpretation of the work for string quartet written by Czech composer Antonin Dvořák.
Unlike Dvořák's work — composed for two violins, viola, and cello — Gat and his electric guitar are joined on the album by Deerhoof drummer Greg Saunier, Mdou Moctar bassist Mikey Coltun and composer Curt Sydnor on organ.
"Since the first time I heard the American Quartet it sounded like rock'n'roll melodies. So on this record we took a stab at performing the 19th century string quartet live from start to finish on electric guitar, bass, organ and drums; adding some improvisation and vibe, but following the melodies and the harmonies quite truthfully," Gat says. "It might be ambitious but it's also pretty thrashed out. It was composed by Antonín Dvořák, who listened to spirituals and Native music and wrote this beautiful piece as a person from another country living in New York. Like me."
The first taste of Gat's American Quartet arrives with the piece's second movement — and Gat's personal favourite — "Slow American Movement - II. Lento," which you can hear below.
"Unlike Dvořák ... I cannot read music and had to learn the melodies from memory. Greg, Mikey and Curt were responding to the sheet music, each adding their unique take to it. We were also responding to each other," Gat says of the album, adding of the second movement, "It was the last thing we recorded together – late night studio magic. And it all happened around the time my first child was born."
American Quartet will also receive a physical release as part of the Stone Tapes 2022 vinyl box set, which is now available for pre-order.
American Quartet:
1. Tremolos – I. Allegro ma non troppo
2. Slow American Movement - II. Lento
3. Joke – III. Molto vivace
4. Rondo – IV. Finale: vivace ma non troppo
Following 2018's Universalists, Gat's American Quartet is a reinterpretation of the work for string quartet written by Czech composer Antonin Dvořák.
Unlike Dvořák's work — composed for two violins, viola, and cello — Gat and his electric guitar are joined on the album by Deerhoof drummer Greg Saunier, Mdou Moctar bassist Mikey Coltun and composer Curt Sydnor on organ.
"Since the first time I heard the American Quartet it sounded like rock'n'roll melodies. So on this record we took a stab at performing the 19th century string quartet live from start to finish on electric guitar, bass, organ and drums; adding some improvisation and vibe, but following the melodies and the harmonies quite truthfully," Gat says. "It might be ambitious but it's also pretty thrashed out. It was composed by Antonín Dvořák, who listened to spirituals and Native music and wrote this beautiful piece as a person from another country living in New York. Like me."
The first taste of Gat's American Quartet arrives with the piece's second movement — and Gat's personal favourite — "Slow American Movement - II. Lento," which you can hear below.
"Unlike Dvořák ... I cannot read music and had to learn the melodies from memory. Greg, Mikey and Curt were responding to the sheet music, each adding their unique take to it. We were also responding to each other," Gat says of the album, adding of the second movement, "It was the last thing we recorded together – late night studio magic. And it all happened around the time my first child was born."
American Quartet will also receive a physical release as part of the Stone Tapes 2022 vinyl box set, which is now available for pre-order.
American Quartet:
1. Tremolos – I. Allegro ma non troppo
2. Slow American Movement - II. Lento
3. Joke – III. Molto vivace
4. Rondo – IV. Finale: vivace ma non troppo
