Uniko

2011 studio album by Kronos Quartet

Uniko

Studio album by

Kronos Quartet

Released

1 February 2011 (2011-02)

Recorded

2007

Genre

Contemporary classical

Label

Ondine (#B004GX91Q6)

Producer

Valgeir Sigurðsson

Kronos Quartet chronology

Rainbow: Music of Central Asia Vol. 8
(2010)

Uniko
(2011)

Uniko is a composition by Finnish musicians Kimmo Pohjonen and Samuli Kosminen, which was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet in 2003.^[1] It was first performed in 2003. The composition has seven parts, and combines accordion, strings, and vocals. A version of it was recorded in 2007, and released in 2011.

Performances

Uniko premiered in 2004^[2] and was also performed in 2007 in New York City at the BAM NEXT WAVE festival,^[3] and in 2012 at Colours of Ostrava.^{[citation needed]} A 2013 performance at the Barbican Centre in London was criticized by John Allison, writing for The Daily Telegraph, for being "an utterly mediocre easy-listening show".^[4] Allison was unimpressed by how much the potential of the accordion was put to use, and did not care for what the strings played either: "the quartet's simple riffs are momentarily haunting only because of the respite they supply, but they are desperately bland".^[4] Robin Denselow, for The Guardian, was of an opposite opinion, and praised the concert as an "exhilarating performance" of "cutting-edge music" even by Kronos' standards: "Uniko was a constantly shifting kaleidoscope of avant-garde electronica, global folk styles and classical influences, with surround-sound and visual effects added in. It was an extraordinary piece of music."^[5]

The composition includes strings, accordion, and vocals. According to Allison, "Live electro-accordion, voice and string quartet are all mixed with sampled accordion, strings and percussion and fed into a multilayered sonic environment that washes over the audience".^[4] Tristan Bath, writing for The Quietus, describes the music as "Finnish folk mesh[ed] with contemporary electronic tropes and Kronos' strings". Bath, reviewing the record, was more positive than Allison, and said "Now in its 40th year, and umpteenth incarnation, the Kronos Quartet are on top form on Uniko, with several high points showcasing David Harrington’s subtle instrumental prowess in particular. Other moments, demonstrate the unique variety of sounds offered by the accordion, from Pohjonen’s percussive body taps to the wind-like creaking of bellows."^[6]

Track listing

All music is composed by Kimmo Pohjonen and Samuli Kosminen

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Uniko: I. Utu"	6:58
2.	"Uniko: II. Plasma"	6:15
3.	"Uniko: III. Särmä"	5:34
4.	"Uniko: IV. Kalma"	11:00
5.	"Uniko: V. Kamala"	5:38
6.	"Uniko: VI. Emo"	10:19
7.	"Uniko: VII. Avara"	6:00

Credits

Musicians

David Harrington – violin
John Sherba – violin
Hank Dutt – viola
Jeffrey Zeigler – cello
Kimmo Pohjonen – accordion,^[1] voice
Samuli Kosminen – electronic percussion,^[1] samples, programming

Production

Recorded at Avatar Studios, New York City, 2007

Valgeir Sigurðsson – producer
Pauli Sastamoinen – mastering
Phillip Page – executive producer
Rixi Ostariz – graphics and design
Chikako Harada – photography

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "UNIKO: Stream the full album!". Kronos Quartet. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
^ Westphal, Matthew. "Fifteen-Foot Puppet Joins Kronos Quartet for World Premieres at BAM Oct. 3–6". PlaybillArts.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
^ Kozinn, Allan (9 September 2007). "Just in Time for Timeless Melodies". The New York Times. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
^ ^a ^b ^c Allison, John (September 19, 2013). "Kronos Quartet: Uniko, Barbican, review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
^ Denselow, Robin (September 19, 2013). "Kronos Quartet/Kimmo Pohjonen/Samuli Kosminen – review". The Guardian. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
^ Bath, Tristan (August 22, 2013). "Preview: Uniko by Kimmo Pohjonen". The Quietus. Retrieved December 6, 2023.