Rubbra originally conceived the first of his four string quartets in 1933. Thirteen years later, he overhauled his thoughts and added a new finale.
Dedicated to Vaughan Williams and beautifully laid out for the medium, it's an invigorating and purposeful work, boasting a particularly memorable slow movement. The Third Quartet of 1963 is even finer; its seamlessly evolving structure demonstrates Rubbra's sebtle ear for harmony and counterpoint. The three movements play without a break, and once again the Adagio centrepiece plumbs great depths.
It's good that the Dante Quartet have lost no time in completing their Rubbra cycle for Dutton. The previous coupling of Quartets Nos 2 and 4 was shortlisted for a Gramophone Award, and if anything this disc attains an even greater level of accomplishment and perception.
These are eloquent readings that strike a perfect equilibrium between communication and rigour. Bouquets, too, for the Dante's young French cellist, Pierre Doumenge, who teams up with pianist Michael Dussek for a cogent and impassioned account of the 1946 Cello Sonata (more convincing than either comparative rival). Doumenge also shines in the unaccompanied Improvisation from 1964.
The production values are exemplary. This is a most rewarding release.