A Nonesuch Retrospective

This 4-disc box set represents a sizable span of the output of contemporary composer Elliott Carter. Reaching back to his compositions of the early `40s, Disc One showcases Carter's early style, which blends a neo-classical approach with more strident, rhythmically complex elements. Discs Two and Three focus on `50s works such as "String Quartet No. 1" and "Variations for Orchestra," evidence of Carter's challenging experiments with "metrical modulation." Disc Four includes three pieces from the early `80s that demonstrate his mastery of tonal color, style synthesis, and variety in arrangement (the thrilling "Triple Duo" is a case in point). A suitable overview of such a wide-ranging, prolific, and important artist is difficult to manage, but A NONESUCH RETROSPECTIVE fits the bill admirably.