Standing at the heart of award-winning Polish composer Krzysztof Meyer’s output are his symphonies and string quartets. The first four quartets chart his development over an important decade, from the 1963 first quartet, Op. 8 to the strikingly powerful fourth of 1974. Whether structured in a single span – as in the second with its hints of Bartók – or more formally devised in three movements, Meyer’s work is at the forefront of contemporary European quartet writing, showing some allegiance to, but differences from, the quartets of his compatriots Penderecki and Lutosławski.

This is the fourth and final volume of the complete Quartets. His music is contemporary but sonorous, and makes a strong appeal to those who value traditional forms packed with a wealth of sonic, technical and expressive ideas.