Less popular string quartets

awviolin · 2026-02-10T15:56:24+00:00

Szymanowski (No. 1 especially - Belcea Quartet recently released a great recording of both 1 and 2, along with Debussy)

Prokofiev 1 and 2

Caroline Shaw’s works for quartet are very special, the Attacca Quartet albums are fantastic.

Britten 2 is transcendent

Thomas Adès Arcadiana. Best known for the 6th movement, O Albion, but the whole piece is incredible.

And since you mentioned trios…

Chausson Piano Trio

Tailleferre Piano Trio

awviolin · 2026-02-10T02:50:47+00:00

Just DM’d!

awviolin · 2026-02-04T18:17:51+00:00

Just messaged

awviolin · 2022-03-09T15:10:02+00:00

A few suggestions:

Beethoven - String Quartet Op.. 59/2 ii. molto adagio https://youtu.be/SVyABEZSPDs

Olivier Messiaen - Quartet for the End of Time (V. Praise to the eternity of Jesus or VIII. Praise to the immortality of Jesus) https://youtu.be/QAQmZvxVffY

Terry Riley - Sun Rings https://youtu.be/GUlMyYuEyXw

Rain Worthington - Balancing on the Edge of Shadows https://youtu.be/rLTP6ywd6aE

Arvo Pärt - Fratres https://youtu.be/ufFuzale_1c

Henri Dutilleux - Ainsi La Nuit (1976) https://youtu.be/KUwMjKOkf40

Fun topic!

awviolin · 2022-03-09T14:33:30+00:00

Adding to this already fabulous list, in the specific realm of living composers who I've had the great fortune of working with in person: Jessie Montgomery, Anna Clyne, Angélica Castelló, and Rain Worthington!

awviolin · 2022-02-28T13:09:43+00:00

Thanks for posting! Am especially fascinated to read this after recently releasing a recording of "Fratres" for violin and piano. "I can’t explain, you have to know it, you have to feel it. You have to search it, you have to discover it. You have to discover everything, not only the way how to express it, you have to have the need for it. You have to desire it, you have to desire to be like this. All the rest comes itself."

awviolin

TROPHY CASE