The first recording for string quartet of the 6 Quartets Op.26 by Boccherini.

Boccherini was in the service of the Infante Don Luis, the brother of King Charles III of Spain. He was required to write 3 sets of 6 pieces every year, a duty which led to the rich and substantial oeuvre of chamber music by the Italian master.

The quartets are small scale, consisting of usually two movements, the first Allegro in sonata form followed by a Menuetto plus Trio. The style, “Classical Pure”, is here and there infused by Spanish elements, such as certain syncopations suggesting Spanish dances, like the Fandango: high class entertainment!

Played in the spirit of Historical Performance Practice by the Italian Ensemble Symposium, whose historical research led to such premieres as the String Quartets by Campagnoli (BC95037) and the Scherzi Melodichi by Telemann (BC94330).