Review of Kenneth Fuchs CD Fuchs’s “American” Quartet was commissioned by the Delray String Quartet, which performs it exceedingly well here. Its subtitle derives from the stylistic influences of the American symphonic school that have dominated the composer’s recent music, and a broad angular “American” theme ties together the four movements of the work. Beyond that, I also hear a fair number of “American” open fifths, and some lively quasi-folk fiddling in the final movement. All of it does an excellent job in meeting the composer’s goal of portraying the brash optimism of the American spirit. READ MORE