Musical Opinion

The range of worthwhile issues on the Divine Art label continues to expand with this outstanding release of three relatively recent string quartets by British composers. The most important work here is that by Robert Saxton, a remarkable score playing for around 30 minutes and utterly compelling in its strength and sheer passion, allied to quartet writing which is never less than genuine. This is not to imply that the other two works are unworthy – they are both well worth recording and well worth the attention of music-lovers. Judith Weir’s Quartet is the shortest of the three, and perhaps could have been longer in terms of developing the nature of her material, which suggests a longer work. I look forward to her Quartet no. 2. John Casken’s Second Quartet is a very well structured piece, again with a real grasp of what a string quartet should be, entirely free from tricks or other absurdities. The performances, in the absence of scores, seem very fine and totally committed, and the recording quality is excellent.
Very strongly recommended.

—Robert Matthew-Walker