Ernest BLOCH (1880-1959)

 

String Quartets 1-4

 

Griller String Quartet

 

String Quartet No.1 (1916)

String Quartet No.2 (1945)

String Quartet No.3 (1952)

String Quartet No.4 (1953)

 

Producer: Peter Andry

Total Timing: 147:00

Digital Status: ADD/MONO

Recorded: Decca Studio, West Hampstead, London, 28-30 June & 2, 5, 6, 9, 19, 20 July 1954

 

These historic recordings of Bloch String Quartets make their first international appearance on CD.

 

The Griller String Quartet was one of the most acclaimed and sought-after English chamber ensembles during the 1930s through to the time that the group disbanded in 1963.  The repertory of the Quartet was broad and as well as having most of the standard Classical and Romantic literature in its repertory the Grillers played a great deal of twentieth-century music.  The String Quartets of Ernest Bloch were closely associated with the Quartet and in June 1945 they made the first recording of String Quartet No.2 for Decca; in June 1953 they recorded Quartet No.3.  They revisited these and the other quartets for the present recordings, made in 1954.  These recordings, not available since their original LP release in 1955/56, have not been equalled.

 

"… it is clear that this record (String Quartet No.2) stands well up among the best of quartet playing ever made." (Gramophone, January 1956)

 

"…the two new records (String Quartets 1, 3 & 4) are both contributions to the repertory of incalculable value offering entirely worthy performances of three unquestionable masterpieces: the fullest recommendation, with no reservations at all." (Gramophone, October 1955)

 

Decca 2cds 4756071