The Ragazze Quartet has been acclaimed for their musical enthusiasm, talent, versatility and presentation. The young Dutch ensemble frequently collaborates with composers, musicians - classical or otherwise - and artists working in a variety of disciplines. In spite of it's life-affirming title, Vivere, the group's Channel Classics debut, is not exactly a cheerful disc. All three compositions refer in various ways to death. This is reflected in the key signatures of the repertoire (D minor is considered the key of death) and the programmatic content of the Schubert and Widmann quartets. The cellist actually 'dies' in the Widmann! Spectacularly well recorded, this disc presents an unusual and compelling program and introduces the world to a dynamic and exciting new ensemble.