Stanford. String Quartets. Rte Vanbrugh Quartet

RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet

Stanford: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2

Think of Stanford and the genre of the string quartet probably won’t come to mind. But he composed no fewer than eight such works over a twenty-eight year period, inspired by his friendship with the great violinist Joseph Joachim. The first two quartets are serious, big-boned works that show Stanford’s mastery of the idiom. On this mid-priced Helios series reissue, the RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet plays with a rare sensitivity and a natural eloquence. Also included is the Horn Fantasy — a dramatic, compelling and flawlessly written work (possibly composed as a tribute to Mozart), superbly played by Stephen Stirling.

Price: $13.98