String Quartet No. 8, Op. 121

Composed in 1932, Darius Milhaud’s (1892-1974) String Quartet No. 8, Op. 121, features four tightly constructed movements that reveal both his academic rigor and expressive directness. The piece juxtaposes lyrical lines with angular motifs and often layers different tonal centers in simultaneous motion, a hallmark of Milhaud’s style. Unlike some of his lighter works, this quartet presents a more introspective and serious character, perhaps reflecting the turbulent political atmosphere of early 1930s Europe.