The second volume of Leone Sinigaglia’s music for string quartet (Volume 1 is on 8574183) explores a series of generally shorter pieces for the medium. These deeply expressive works, such as the yearning Romanza for string quartet and horn, combine compositional rigour with a flowing Italianate lyricism nurtured in the years 1888–89. Also included are the String Trio in A major, which evokes the world of the Baroque through its Bachian counterpoint, and the Trio-Serenata, fusing elysian beauty with joyful elegance. All but one of these pieces are world-premiere recordings, many of which are played from the composer’s original manuscripts.

This is Volume 2 in the series. Of Volume 1 which can be heard on 8574183 the American Record Guide noted that ‘The young Archos Quartet deserves top marks for making such an improbable debut, and Naxos was broadminded enough to let them do it.’ It was a ‘Critic’s Choice’ disc.