Sir Michael Tippett (1905-1998) was a leading figure in British contemporary music of the 20th century. His four String Quartets span his entire creative life, and show him as an extremely skilful and innovative composer. In this most challenging and complicated of musical form, Tippett draws inspiration from the late quartets of Beethoven, particularly in his fugal writing, and the intricate and complex textures of the 4 voices. Yet despite Tippett’s sources of inspiration, these works are also testament to his fundamentally innovative approach to composition, heard in the complex and intricate combinations of rhythms, structural experimentation and assured manipulation of string sonorities.

Sir Michael Tippett wrote a total of seven string quartets, along with two early efforts that he himself suppressed, deeming the works too immature. Like the symphonies, the Quartets Nos 1–4, heard on this disc, span Tippett’s development as a composer, and reveal his deep feeling and skill for contrapuntal music.

The Britten Quartet have already demonstrated their special qualities in British 20th century music, with their recording of the String Quartets of Benjamin Britten (Brilliant Classics 9168) which won high praise.