Bainton/Clifford: String Quartets

"Here are two lyrical English quartets which carry none of the equivocal harmony or expressionism of Goossens or Bridge. Definitely for enthusiasts of the chamber music of Howells, Vaughan Williams, McEwen and Moeran and further afield of Ravel, Max d'Ollonne and Ropartz. The Locrian play these works with every appearance of total engagement and enjoyment. Not to be missed."
(MusicWeb April 2006)

"Listening 'blind' to Bainton's 1915 A major Quartet, I was struck by its distinctly continental flavour… It's a most engaging discovery, beautifully imagined for the medium… and full of lovely ideas. Clifford's 1935 quartet is less immediately striking but still displays enviable fluency and assurance. Both composers are impeccably served by the Locrian Ensemble." Gramophone

This disc comprises two delightful string quartets by Anglo-Australian composers Edgar Bainton and Hubert Clifford. A pupil of Stanford, Bainton eventually left the UK in the 1930s to become the Principal of the Sydney Conservatoire. His tuneful and atmospheric String Quartet was probably the most important work written by the many musical inmates of Berlin's Ruhleben civilian prison camp during the First World War. Clifford came to Europe from Melbourne in 1930 to study with Vaughan Williams at the Royal College of Music, and remained in England. Clifford, whose string quartet dates from 1935, is best known as film magnate Alexander Korda's music director. If you like Howells or Moeran you will love these tuneful and evocative scores.

Recorded at St Martin's Church, East Woodhay, Berkshire
4-5 October 2005