Recordings

Shostakovich Quartets 9 & 15

Our latest Shostakovich recording.
‘Brilliantly accurate and virtuosic presentation’ The Strad
‘After an Epilogue that sways between passion and numbness…the listener is left at the edge of the abyss’
MusicWeb International

Dvorak ‘American’ and Beethoven ‘Serioso’

Our long awaited recording of Dvorak’s ‘American’ Quartet, alongside Beethoven’s dramatic ‘Serioso’ Quartet op.95.

In the Clear Air

A ‘chilled out’ CD of beautiful, mostly contemporary music.
Including works by Philip Glass (Quartet no.3 ‘Mishima’), Peter Gregson, Thomas Hewitt Jones, Arvo Part, John Metcalfe and Edward Elgar.
CSQ 1058

Shostakovich Quartets 1,2 & 7

Our 2nd Shostakovich disc on Signum features his 1st, 2nd and 7th quartets.
‘these are athletic, upfront performances, clear in texture, forthright in tone and bold in articulation.’
Gramophone
Performance★★★★ Recording★★★★ Beautiful honed – BBC Music Magazine
SIGCD559

Beethoven Septet

Beethoven Septet op.20, Weber/Kuffner Intro – Theme and Variations, Strauss – Fruhlingsstimmen, Perpetuum Mobile. With Emma Johnson (clarinet) and friends.
‘Plenty of charismatic playing here, in a programme clearly planned to entertain.’
Gramophone
’Outstanding professional musicians communicating enjoyment and enthusiasm for the works they are playing’
BBC Music Magazine

Christmas Songs

Three great Christmas songs sung by BBC Young Chorister of the Year 2018 – Cassian Pichler-Roca. Recording alongside the Carducci String Quartet, with pianist and arranger Thomas Hewitt Jones.
Walking in the Air – Howard Blake
In the Bleak Midwinter – Harold Darke
Away in a Manger – Traditional

Mozart and Weber – Clarinet Quintets

With Julian Bliss – Clarinet

‘the slow movement of the Mozart is breathtaking in its tenderness. And the virtuosity of the Weber’s finale is irresistible.’
Gramophone

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Jethro Tull – The String Quartets

The String Quartets is an album of classic Jethro Tull repertoire, imaginatively arranged by John O’Hara for the Carducci string quartet with the flute, guitar and vocals of songwriter and producer Ian Anderson.
“Now, this is interesting. Rock meets classics in a unique fusion of genres that works. The result is a slightly quirky, but excellent reworking of a dozen Jethro Tull tracks”  Amp

Brahms and Bruce – Clarinet Quintets

With Julian Bliss – Clarinet
‘joyous rhythms and klezmer-like wheeling’ The Guardian
‘Here’s a double delight. First, an engaging new work which deserves a place in chamber repertory and second, a passionate account of Brahms’s Clarinet Quintet’ Gramophone Magazine – Editor’s Choice

Schubert Octet – with Emma Johnson and friends

Schubert’s Octet was recorded by SOMM records in October of 2014 before an enthusiastic audience, during a concert at Turner Sims Concert Hall, University of Southampton.
‘The playing is excellent and, even more importantly, the performances are imbued with a spirit which I doubt could have been captured as effectively in a studio.‘  MusicWeb International

Philip Glass – Quartet 5, Dracula, String Sextet

Philip Glass Fifth String Quartet is the most substantial of his five quartets and the most traditional, using formal structures and expressive contrasts which go far beyond minimalism. Glass also chose a string quartet for his score to the film Dracula to evoke the feeling of the world of the 19th century, the music underpinning the films visual drama. The String Sextet is an arrangement of Glasss Third Symphony, combining symphonic scale with the intimacy synonymous with the chamber music genre.

Shostakovich Quartets

Our 1st Shostakovich disc on Signum features his 4th, 8th and 11th quartets.
‘Polished and passionate’  The Sunday Times
**** ‘a fine achievement, boasting excellent ensemble, musical insight and sensitive attention to detail’
BBC Music magazine

SIGCD418

Into the Ravine

Our first release on Signum features three works written for us that we premiered at the Presteigne Festival. Michael Berkeley’s Oboe Quintet ‘Into the Ravine’ with Nicholas Daniel; John McCabe’s Quartet No. 7, ‘Summer Eves’; and Adrian Williams’ Quartet No.4.

SIGCD350

Monk’s Music

Alexander Raskatov’s ‘Monk’s Music’ is a monumental work for string quartet and bass voice, completed in 2005 but following the death of its commissioner, cellist Valentin Berlinsky of the Borodin Quartet, the work wasn’t performed. We were delighted to give the premiere in Ireland in February 2013.

Irish Times *****

Label: Louth Contemporary Music Society
Cat. No: LCMS 1302

Mendelssohn and Franck String Quartets

Mendelssohn and Franck wrote these powerfully expressive string quartets each in the last year of their lives, but under very different circumstances.

“…utterly compelling…a recording to treasure.”
Irish Examiner ****

Carducci Classics CSQ8013

Philip Glass – String Quartets 1-4

Although Philip Glass came late to the string quartet, his contribution to the genre has since become a significant one. This disc features the first four of his five quartets, ranging from the uncharacteristic yet fascinating sound-world of the First, through the compact dimensions of the subsequent two (themselves derived from theatre and film scores). The more expansive manner of his Fourth Quartet makes allusions to the formidable string
quartet heritage, in particular those of
Schubert and Dvorák.

“…this CD has some beautiful and moving inventions…The Carducci Quartet’s performances are a marvel of sensitivity, and the recorded sound has a lovely soft glow.”
Sunday Telegraph, 4th July 2010 ****

NAXOS 8559636

Haydn – String Quartets

The Carducci Quartet’s first CD under their own label. The disc includes three great Haydn quartets, op.50 no.6 ‘Frog’, op.20 no.4, and op.76 no.2 ‘Fifths’.

‘…the final movement of Haydn’s quartet Op 76, No.2…if it doesn’t get your back bone bouncing with pleasure then I don’t know what will…’
Warwick Thompson – London Metro

Carducci Classics CSQ3940

PATH – Various Artists

World première recordings of pieces by Arvo Pärt and John Tavener are central to Louth Contemporary Music Society’s second recording, Path, plus music by Dmitri Yanov Yanovsky, Polina Medyulyanova, Aleksandra Vrebalov and Zurab Nadarejshvili.

‘The players of the excellent Carducci Quartet are the perfect exponents of this lyrical yet gritty collection of contemporary music’
The Strad

Joseph Horovitz – Fantasia and Quartets

The Carducci Quartet with Nicholas Daniel (oboe): World premiere recording of the string chamber music of Viennese-born, English-bred composer Joseph Horovitz. This CD includes his String Quartets no’s 4 & 5, the delightfully pastoral Oboe Quartet and an amazing work for string ensemble.

‘Strongly and beautifully crafted works…Excellent performances, too.’
BBC Music Magazine
‘a tangy blend of old and new’
The Irish Times

More info!

Brian Boydell – The Complete String Quartets

Discover the distinctive music of Brian Boydell, one of Ireland’s leading twentieth century composers, in an exciting world premiere recording of the complete string quartets.

‘a valuable addition to the string quartet repertory…beautifully balanced, clear, and, technically, of the highest quality’
Irish Examiner
‘the Carducci Quartet offer the first complete recorded survey of his quartets, and play as if they have the music in their blood.’
Irish Times

Presented with funding from the Music Network/Arts Council Music Recording Scheme.

Carducci Classics CSQ8841

Graham Whettam – Quartets

The Carducci Quartet with Jennie-Lee Keetley (oboe): World premiere recording of the quartets by British Composer Graham Whettam. (String Quartet no.1, Oboe Quartet no.2 & String Quartet no.4)

‘The Carducci brings fizz and bite to this often acerbic but attractive music’
The Strad
‘Recording of the Month’
www.musicweb-international.com

Carducci Classics CSQ5847

Vivaldi – Katona Twins

As featured on Classic FM! The Katona Twins Guitar Duo with the Carducci Quartet, super audio CD of Vivaldi concertos.

‘the Katonas’ formidable virtuoso technique, their performances, crisply supported by the Carducci Quartet, could hardly be bettered for charm, zest, wit and colouristic flair.’
Richard Wigmore – The Telegraph

Channel Classics

Piazzolla: Le Grand Tango

Peter & Zoltán Katona, guitars; Alfredo Marcucci, bandoneón; Carducci String Quartet, Daniel Storer, double-bass.
Astor Piazzolla wrote only one piece for two guitars. This SACD features his original guitar duet, the Tango Suite and other pieces arranged by the Katona Twins. A disc that will fascinate tango lovers, classical music enthusiasts and guitarists alike.

Channel Classics

Philip Gates: A Garland for Gatsby

Philip GATES (b. 1963) A Garland for Gatsby – eighteen pieces for solo piano (2007) [33:08]
Piano Quintet (1997) [16:45]
The Lake Isle for oboe and piano (1994) [8:16]
Andrew Knights (oboe); Carducci Quartet; Philip Gates (piano)

‘The mood varies from the elliptical subtlety of Ravel to the lissom melody of Poulenc’
www.musicweb-international.com

Melodist 3130CD