Composer: Sir Charles Hubert Parry
Performer: Archaeus Quartet
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: MPR
Catalogue: MPR102
Release: 2018
Size: 1.46 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
CD 01
String Quartet No. 1 in G minor
01. I. Allegro con fuoco.
02. II. Andante.
03. III. Allegro vivace.
String Quartet No. 2 in C major
04. I. Larghetto – Allegro di molto.
05. II. Andante espressivo.
06. III. Scherzo: Allegro con brio.
07. IV. Finale: Vivace.
CD 02
String Quartet No. 3 in G major
01. I. Allegro.
02. II. Andante.
03. III. Allegro molto.
04. IV. Allegro moderato.
05. Scherzo in C Major (completed by J. Dibble)
Released in the 100th Anniversary year of Sir Hubert Hastings Parry’s death, this is the first ever recording of his complete music for string quartet. Although the mighty Quartet no. 3 has been published and recorded once, Quartets 1&2 have languished unperformed and certainly unrecorded for many years. The early quartets are very much influenced by Mendelssohn and are quite delightful; the charming Scherzo in C, which Parry did not complete one hundred percent, is fully realized in an edition by Professor Jeremy Dibble (who also provided a performing version of Quartet no. 2), without whose invaluable help this recording would not have taken place. This double album was recorded in November 2017 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Salehurst, East Sussex and the recording engineer was once again the superb Tony Faulkner. This recording is an absolute must for lovers of English music but also for those who enjoy early ‘Romantic’ chamber music and is a fascinating document of how Parry’s voice as a composer developed over the years. Utterly amazing that these pieces have been overlooked, it’s now time for them to be brought out into the sunshine!