Recordings
INTRICATE Web by Liz JohnsoN
Divine Art Records, 2017
An intriguing mix of Liz Johnson's music ranging from her miniature for string quartet Tide purl to the huge clarinet quintet Sea-change along with fascinating solo songs setting Jo Shapcott's quirky poetry. The expansive Cello Suite Reflections of an Eccentric English Artist inspired by Ben Hartley is performed by Canadian cellist Heather Tuach and all four string quartets are performed with sensitivity and power by the Fitzwilliam String Quartet. The quartet is joined by singer Loré Lixenberg in the evocative setting of Sky-burial (Quartet No. 4), winner of the IAWM Search for New Music 2016 award, and by multi-clarinettist Ronald Woodley in the weird and wonderful Sea-change that involves five different clarinets from the huge contrabass up to the tiny E flat.
The quartet also play a set of five instruments each, including egg shakers and Swanee whistles.
The quartet also play a set of five instruments each, including egg shakers and Swanee whistles.
Bruckner: Quintet & Quartet
Linn Records, 2016
"The Fitzwilliam Quartet have uncovered the Quintet's marvels."
*****5 stars, Stephen Johnson, BBC Music Magazine, 2016
"...the Fitzwilliam's new release is the one to have. The playing articulates with great subtlety the Romantic abundance of Bruckner's slow movements-the Adagio to the quintet is especially gorgeous-while not shying away from the bizarre and kinky writing in the scherzos and finales and in the Intermezzo. Linn's recording and the acoustic of the recording venue are ideal."
-Jerry Dubins, Fanfare Magazine
"This excellent Linn Records disc is a remarkable showcase for the Fitzwilliam String Quartet's thoughtfulness and interpretative skill, and the quintet heard here is a not-to-be-missed experience for anyone intrigued by Bruckner as a composer..."
-Infodad.com, November 19, 2015
"a performance of authority, enchanting imagination and visionary eloquence.
- Ken Ward, The Bruckner Journal, 2015
*****5 stars, Stephen Johnson, BBC Music Magazine, 2016
"...the Fitzwilliam's new release is the one to have. The playing articulates with great subtlety the Romantic abundance of Bruckner's slow movements-the Adagio to the quintet is especially gorgeous-while not shying away from the bizarre and kinky writing in the scherzos and finales and in the Intermezzo. Linn's recording and the acoustic of the recording venue are ideal."
-Jerry Dubins, Fanfare Magazine
"This excellent Linn Records disc is a remarkable showcase for the Fitzwilliam String Quartet's thoughtfulness and interpretative skill, and the quintet heard here is a not-to-be-missed experience for anyone intrigued by Bruckner as a composer..."
-Infodad.com, November 19, 2015
"a performance of authority, enchanting imagination and visionary eloquence.
- Ken Ward, The Bruckner Journal, 2015
Salvator Mundi: The Purcell LegacY
Sanctiandree, 2015
"Sung with diligent attention to both notes and words, this finely chosen selection of English church music covers the richly rewarding period from the Restoration through to the late 18th century."
**** 4 Star Review, George Hall, BBC Music Magazine, December 2015
**** 4 Star Review, George Hall, BBC Music Magazine, December 2015
Absolutely!
Divine Art Records, 2013
"Beautiful, evocative, compelling, dense at times while deeply tinged in heart and soul, Uwe Steinmetz’s brilliant original compositions and visionary arrangements of classical masterworks are eminently suited for the lens of the modern day string quartet form. Masterfully brought to focus by the Fitzwilliam String Quartet, enriched and enlivened by jazz violin wizard Mads Tolling, and highlighted by the composer’s own hard swinging virtuosic saxophone playing, the new record of Uwe Steinmetz and the Fitzwilliam String Quartet is a must-listen for anyone with ears for what’s happening in contemporary cross-genre music making."
- David Balakrishnan (founder of the Turtle Island String Quartet, 2012)
'I haven’t heard sonics like these since the 1950s, except perhaps on Ornette Coleman’s two Sound Museum CDs, which also had a retro feel….This is a remarkable CD, highly recommended!'
- Lynn René Bayley, Fanfare Magazine (November, 2013)
- David Balakrishnan (founder of the Turtle Island String Quartet, 2012)
'I haven’t heard sonics like these since the 1950s, except perhaps on Ornette Coleman’s two Sound Museum CDs, which also had a retro feel….This is a remarkable CD, highly recommended!'
- Lynn René Bayley, Fanfare Magazine (November, 2013)
MICHAEL BLAKE: String Quartets 1 & 2, Piano Quintet Michael Blake, piano, MBED00
"The three substantial pieces on this CD are some of the most uncompromisingly individual chamber works of recent years....influenced by the sound-world and syntax of traditional African musics, they surprise and impress....The performances of all three works on this disk are committed and masterly." -Michael Graubart, Tempo (2013) |
JOHN RAMSAY
String Quartets 1-4 MSV 28528 “While the music is intellectually challenging, it's also very approachable, making for one of the most interesting chamber releases to appear in some time. The performances by the Fitzwilliam String Quartet are impeccable… razor sharp precision, confidence and emotional commitment. The sound is exceptionally clear.” -Robert E McQuiston, Classical Lost and Found (2012) |
Brahms, Mozart, Glazunov & Sweeney
Lesley Schatzberger, clarinet Linn Records SACD CKD 278, 2007 “…a triumph: the most revelatory version of the [Brahms Clarinet Quintet] I’ve heard in years; animated, dynamic, passionate…. I have no hesitation in naming this the new benchmark” - BBC Music Magazine 
Vaughan Williams: On Wenlock Edge
(James Gilchrist, tenor; Anna Tilbrook, piano) Linn Records CKD 296 *Finalist Solo Vocal Album of the Year *ClassicFM Gramophone Awards 2008 
Shostakovich: Quartets 1-15
Decca/London 455 776-2 *Gramophone '100 Greatest Recordings,' November 2005 
Stations on the Road to Freedom
Uwe Steinmetz with European Art Jazz Ensemble: (D Bonhoeffer) Gravity 020313 
Delius, Sibelius Quartets
Decca Eloquence 442 9486 
Schubert Quintet in C major, D.956
(Christopher van Kampen, cello) Decca Eloquence 480 5622 
Beethoven Quartet in B flat, Op.130. Grosse Fuge, Op.133
Decca Eloquence 480 5619 
Beethoven Quartet in A minor, Op.132
Decca Eloquence 480 5619 
J.S. Bach Sinfonia, Finzi Interlude (with Léon Goossens on oboe)
Chandos 7132 |
Haydn: Seven Last Words, Op. 51, Linn Records
CKD 153, 2001 “A chaste, inward reading [of the Seven Last Words], deeply musical and thoughtfully articulated……I’ll stick with this beautifully balanced new recording.” – Gramophone “In this new recording [of The Seven Last Words] the members [of the FSQ] succeed fabulously well. This disc is an unmitigated delight…one of unrelenting beauty.” – Musical Heritage (USA) “The Fitzwilliam quartet, on period instruments, give a superb performance of these marvellous pieces, conveying all the passion and poignancy in the music.” -Early Music News 
Haydn: Quartets Opp.1 No.6, 71 No.2, 77 No.2 (live recording)
Divine Art Diversions DDV 24151 “Careful attention to dynamics, with outstanding playing by all members, also contributed to one of the most joyful and spiritually uplifting CDs that I have ever heard: moving profundity and sublime jollity through Haydn’s glorious music.” -Ian Milnes “...the set as a whole is one to rejoice in." – David Cairns, Sunday Times “Although nearly ten years old, these memorable live performances are eminently worthy of issue...they are above all marked by a balance and maturity of conception that speaks of long partnership.” - Early Music Review “Focusing on exploring three string quartets to the fullest, this is lively, charming music that feels like it could add class and elegance to any set of speakers it touches.” – Chris Spector, Midwest Records 
Shostakovich: Piano Music/Chamber Works
(Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano) Decca 473 807-2/475 7425 
Schumann: Piano Quintet Piano Quartet, Violin Sonata (Richard Burnett, Graf fortepiano)
Amon Ra CD-SAR54 
Borodin Quartets 1 & 2
Decca Eloquence 480 3454 
Franck Quartet in D major
Decca Eloquence 476 8463 “A magnificent performance [of the Franck Quartet], superbly triumphing over the technical challenge with totally dedicated, passionately convincing playing; one of the finest chamber music records of the 1980s.” - Penguin Guide to Compact Discs (June 2006) 
Brahms, Wolf, Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Italian Serenade
Alan Hacker, clarinet Decca Eloquence 480 5622 |