Matthews: Complete String Quartets Vol. 2

This is the second volume in the series containing all of Andrew Matthews’ string quartets. American music critic Robert Reilly wrote about Volume 1: “…some of the most concentrated and compelling compositions in this genre of the last 30 years. Musical thinking at the highest level and quartet compositions in the great tradition of Beethoven, Bartók, Britten and Tippett.” The present CD contains two very contrasting works: the highly concise Fifth and its latest to date, the extensive 45-minute Quartet No. 12, completed in 2010 and demonstrating Matthews’ skill in its full measure.