Hidden gems of the chamber music repertoire. The Fitzwilliam String Quartet’s sublime recordings of the string quartets of Sibelius and Delius are released on CD for the first time, coupled with Delius’s little cello masterpiece – his Sonata in one movement. Alan George of the Fitzwilliam Quartet provides the liner notes for the two pieces this ensemble has recorded and this reissue is dedicated to the memory of Christopher Rowland, first violinist.
JEAN SIBELIUS
String Quartet in D minor, Op. 56 ‘Voces intimae’
FREDERICK DELIUS
String Quartet
Fitzwilliam Quartet
Sonata in one movement for Cello and Piano
George Isaac, cello
Martin Jones, piano
Recording Producers: Peter Wadland (Quartets); Michael Bremner (Sonata)
Balance Engineers: John Dunkerley (Quartets); Stanley Goodall (Sonata)
Recording Locations: ‘The Maltings’, Concert Hall, Snape, UK, December 1978 (Quartets); University College, Cardiff, UK, October 1971 (Sonata)
Remastering Engineer: Craig Thompson (The Audio Archiving Company)
‘Powerhouse performances of three little known works’
MusicWeb International
‘a thought-provoking and impressive recording which makes a welcome return ot the catalogue’ *** Penguin Guide
‘[Fitzwilliam Quartet’s Delius] performance is committed and imbued with evident affection. Ensemble and intonation are excellent; phrases are carefully matched and rhythms vitally articulated…The 1978 recording is superb’ *** Penguin Guide