“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... utterly compelling in its strength and sheer passion. 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
Musical Opinion
“The Kreutzer Quartet’s strong performances reveals [the three works’ powerful individuality. Casken’s quartet certainly adds up to an impressive whole, as does, in a very different way, Judith Weir’s. Robert Saxton’s quartet is perhaps a slightly tougher nut... at its heart is a darkly meditative slow movement. It has taken a long time for this release to reach the market, but it was worth the wait.”
Piers Burton-Page
International Record Review
“John Casken’s quartet stands out on an excellent disc...touch and timbre beautifully captured by the Kreutzer Quartet.”
Andy Hamilton
The Wire
“Featuring the works of three composers that are leading lights in contemporary music, everything falls right into place on this set that explores fun, upbeat stuff that is dancing right on the edge of being party music in its own right. A set of debut recordings by a string quartet that takes things out of the drawing room quite nicely, this delightful ear opener is nothing less than a real treat .”
Chris Spector
MidWest Record
“The Kreutzer Quartet’s triptych of British string quartets from the 1990s can be enjoyed as a single journey: cold, colder, coldest. The performance is strong”
Anna Picard
The Independent
“[Casken’s Quartet is audience-friendly... I enjoyed it... a fine performance”
Peter Spaull
Liverpool Daily Post
“What does link the works is craftsmanship and integrity, as well as the obvious care with which the Kreutzer quartet performs them.”
Andrew Clements
The Guardian
“There are some good helpful notes and the sound quality is first class. Well done to Metier for giving [these recordings] the oxygen of publicity”
Jonathan Woolf
Music Web
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