Predictably there is some fine playing here, with details in these intricately complex pieces emerging with remarkable clarity … what stands out from the Jerusalem Quartet’s interpretations, quite apart from their technical accomplishment, is their warmth: with these players, Bartok is never in danger of sounding merely aggressive.

these are civilised, outward-looking readings, placing the music firmly in the Classical-Romantic tradition, and there are plenty of listeners who’ll respond warmly to playing of such sincerity and beauty

The Jerusalem players open Bartók’s Second Quartet with a passionate account of the first movement, knitting its disparate elements into a satisfying whole, imbued with warmth and featuring some beautiful high keening from cellist Kyril Zlotnikov…the first movement of the Fourth Quartet snaps away splendidly, with some wonderful muscular glissandos…these are fine performances, shot through with beauty

To judge from the first disc of its new recorded Bartók set, with the even-numbered quartets, the group’s account will not displace the Takács but promises to be in its league. The second quartet receives the most convincing rendition, especially the dizzying fluidity in the dancing rhythms of Arabian folk dance in the second movement.