Alexander Glazunov’s seven string quartets extend over the entirety of his composing career and are equal in significance to his symphonies. Fused with nationalist sentiment and Classical discipline, the First String Quartet secured the Glinka Prize for the teenage composer in 1884. The advances in expressive range and formal integration in the Second Quartet include a rapturous slow movement considered a highlight of his earlier output, while the Third Quartet has become known as ‘The Slavonic’ for its evocative folk-music character.

Glazunov was a key figure in giving shape to Russian national character in the late 19th century and was influential on 20th-century composers such as Stravinsky. Even with his imposing reputation his works were regarded by the likes of Shostakovich as old-fashioned, but his popularity has endured beyond modernism and our appreciation of his music can only be enhanced through top notch new recordings such as those of the Tippett Quartet.

This is the first volume of a complete edition of Glazunov’s string quartets with the excellent Tippett Quartet, who are veterans of numerous acclaimed complete editions of quartets by composers such as Erich Korngold (Naxos 8574438), named as one of The Times (UK) Ten Best Classical Albums of the Year in 2023, and Henryk Górecki (8573919 and 8574110) in recordings ‘deserving of the very highest recommendation’ (Gramophone).

The Tippett Quartet has performed and broadcast throughout the UK, Europe, Canada and Mexico, and its broad and diverse repertoire highlights the ensemble’s unique versatility. It has an impressive catalogue of recordings, and has given numerous world and UK premieres. The quartet released an acclaimed recording of Penderecki’s Quartets (Naxos 8574288), and was awarded Gramophone magazine’s Recording of the Month for its recording of Górecki’s String Quartet no.3 (8574110). The release of the complete Korngold Quartets (8574428) was received to great acclaim, being chosen as Chamber CD of the Month in BBC Music Magazine and also included in The Times and The Sunday Times Top 10 Classical Recordings of the Year.