This 2CD set includes the String Quartets written by Benjamin Britten - It finally assembles the celebrated recordings by the Brodsky String Quartet - Major works by a major composer of last Century in a reference account - Specially priced: 2CDs for the price of 1

THE MUSIC The numbering of Britten's three quartets is deceptive: between 1926 and 1936 he wrote ten works for quartet, including six full-length quartets, although only one of these (the Quartet in D of 1931) was published in his lifetime. Clearly the medium of the quartet was far more significant for Britten than it might appear. Few works caused him to work harder than the Suite Alla Quartetto Serioso (subtitled, after Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale, 'Go play, boy, play'), composed between 1933 and 1936. Britten lost hope of any success with this work, in spite of the effort that he had put into it, and the Divertimenti and the Alla Marcia remained unpublished until 1983, seven years after his death. In the spring of 1939 Britten went to Canada, and from there to the USA, where he was to remain for nearly three years. He began sketching a quartet in the summer of 1940. The quartet was first performed in Los Angeles in September 1941 by the Coolidge Quartet. Unlike the Divertimenti, the Quartet was generally well received, and widely played. A 'first' quartet this may be, but it is the work of a composer who knew exactly what he wanted to say. Although the Second followed only four years later, there is then a gap of thirty years before the Third. Indeed he wrote hardly any chamber music at all after the Second Quartet. Britten's career shows a major change of direction once he had succeeded in the field of opera, and the quartet is almost left behind. But this does not diminish the stature of his three mature string quartets: the entirely different and distinctive approach he adopted in each one of them makes one wish that he had found the space to write more. The Second Quartet was commissioned early in 1945 by Mary Behrend, a notable patron of the arts. It was first performed in November. With hindsight we know the Third Quartet to be Britten's last major work. At the time of its completion, a year before his death - he was still planning large-scale works. But he was well aware that his time was limited, and it is neither imagination nor sentiment that sees the shadow of death over the music. The Third Quartet is close to the world of the Cello Suites, with their increasingly free form and imaginative range.

ARTIST BACKGROUND Since its formation in 1972 the Brodsky Quartet has performed more than 3000 concerts on the major concert stages of the world and has released more than sixty recordings. A natural curiosity and insatiable desire to explore have propelled the group in many artistic directions and continue to ensure it not only a place at the very forefront of the international chamber music scene but also a rich and varied musical existence. Its members share a love and mastery of the traditional string quartet repertoire that are evident from their highly acclaimed performances of works by composers ranging from Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, and Tchaikovsky to Shostakovich, Bartók, Britten, and Respighi, as well as from their extensive, award-winning discography. They are also widely celebrated for their pioneering work with a diverse range of performing artists, while their collaboration with many distinguished composers has given them an unrivalled opportunity to influence and inspire some of the newest work for string quartet. Their passion to embrace 'all good music' has been the driving force behind their success and has kept their approach fresh and their enthusiasm high over the past forty years. Throughout their 40-year career, the Brodsky Quartet, named after the great Russian violinist Adolf Brodsky, has enjoyed a busy international performing schedule, and has toured extensively throughout Australasia, North and South America, Asia, South Africa, and Europe, as well as performing at many of the UK's major festivals and venues. They have taught at many international chamber music courses and held residencies in several music institutes, including the first such post at the University of Cambridge. The Brodsky Quartet's energy and craftsmanship have attracted numerous awards and accolades worldwide, while ongoing educational work provides a vehicle for passing on experience and staying in touch with the next generation.

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Recording dates: 10-11.05.2001 and 10-12.12.2001