Jeremy Dale Roberts (1934–2017) was a unique figure on the Britishmusical landscape. As a composer, he steered a path between traditional tonality and modernism, developing a language that can range from aching, pastoral lyricism to wild, freewheeling energy. This album counterpoints works from the beginning and end of his career, all distinguished by his unmistakable sense of drama and poetry and his peerless technical command. The performers here worked intensely with the composer over a number of years, and he was involved with every aspect of these recordings, from initial rehearsals up to the final edits. Dale Roberts was aware that this recording might be the last of his music that he would live to see and referred to it as ‘a kind of testament’.

Peter Sheppard Skærved is known for his pioneering approach to the music of the past of our own time and the past; over 400 works have been written for him. He is the founder and leader of the Kreutzer Quartet and Viotti Lecturer at the Royal Academy of Music.

Roderick Chadwick is a pianist, teacher and writer on music. He is Reader in Music at the Royal Academy of Music.

The Kreutzer Quartet – Peter Sheppard Skærved and Mihailo Trandafilovski (violins), Morgan Goff (viola) and Neil Heyde (cello) – has forged an enviable reputation as one of Europe’s most dynamic and innovative string quartets.

The Canadian cellist Bridget MacRae has been principal cellist of the Munich Chamber Orchestra since 2003.