April 2020

Edward Cowie: Three Quartets and a Solo (Métier)

Sunday Times: “Quietly frenetic textures act as skein-like support for more forthright material in Cowie’s First Quartet, Dungeness Nocturnes (1969), while the Second, Crystal Dances (1977), is dazzlingly faceted and the Sixth, The Four Winds (2012), reflects upon the winds and seasons. The Kreutzer Quartet’s leader, Peter Sheppard Skærved, give the virtuoso solo violin piece GAD (2017), written during an anxiety episode yet often surprisingly playful.” — Stephen Pettitt

MusicWeb International: “A remarkable new CD. The performances of these four works are ideal. Every bar suggests that violinist Peter Sheppard Skærved and the other members of the Kreutzer Quartet have a great empathy with this music and create a magical and engrossing performance. The musical language of this music is as diverse as its emotional background. The liner notes are impressive. They include the preparatory paintings Cowie made before starting work on his quartets. They are excellent and would grace any art collection. Let us hope that this is really an ongoing project.” — John France
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Peter Dickinson: Chamber and Solo Works (Toccata Classics)

Gramophone: “Magnificent playing and sound. A marvellous disc.”
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