“Black Angels.” Kronos Quartet. Elektra Nonesuch 9...

“Black Angels.” Kronos Quartet. Elektra Nonesuch 9 79242 (compact disc). This disc contains a vividly nervous, comprehensively strenuous account of George Crumb’s title piece, plus taut, thoughtful performances of Shostakovich’s Quartet No. 8 and the hyper-dramatic, folk song-based “Doom. A Sigh” by Istvan Marta. All share an oppressive measure of haunted Angst , leavened with the positivism and acceptance found in two novelties--an arrangement of Tallis’ celebrated 40-part motet “Spem in Alium” and an inconsequential accompaniment to a scratchy old home recording of Charles Ives in his song “They Are There!” The performances deliver all the shadings, both musical and socio-political, of this intense program.