Alwyn: String Quartets Nos. 10-13

William Alwyn's "String Quartets Nos. 10-13" is a captivating journey through the intricate world of chamber music, showcasing the composer's unique voice and innovative spirit. Released in 2017 on SOMM Recordings, this album features the Tippett Quartet delivering a compelling performance of Alwyn's late works, composed between 1957 and 1985.

The album opens with the evocative "String Quartet No. 10 En voyage," a four-movement work inspired by Alwyn's travels. Each movement paints a vivid sonic landscape, from the mournful "Departure" to the lively "Trade Winds," offering a rich tapestry of emotions and imagery. The quartet continues with the introspective and harmonically complex "String Quartet No. 11 in B Minor," showcasing Alwyn's mastery of counterpoint and his ability to create profound musical narratives.

The experimental "String Quartet No. 12, Fantasia" stands out as a bold departure from traditional quartet forms. This single-movement work is a tour de force of intensity and innovation, demonstrating Alwyn's fearless approach to musical exploration. The album concludes with the powerful "String Quartet No. 13," a work that combines lyrical beauty with rhythmic vitality, leaving a lasting impression.

Throughout the album, Alwyn's distinctive voice shines, blending romantic expressiveness with modernist techniques. The Tippett Quartet's nuanced performance brings out the depth and subtlety of these works, making this a standout release for fans of chamber music and a fascinating introduction to Alwyn's late compositions. With a total runtime of 1 hour and 9 minutes, this album is a testament to William Alwyn's enduring legacy as a composer of profound originality and vision.

William Alwyn was a versatile and prolific English composer, conductor, and music teacher, leaving an indelible mark on the 20th-century music scene. Born William Alwyn Smith in 1905, his career spanned a wide array of genres, including opera, ballet, orchestral, chamber, and instrumental music. Alwyn's compositions are renowned for their evocative and often innovative qualities, blending elements of Tudor and modern times in works like his Elizabethan Dances. A leading figure in British film music during the 1940s and '50s, he composed over 200 cinematic scores, showcasing his versatility and mastery of musical storytelling. His orchestral contributions include five symphonies and several concertos, further cementing his status as one of Britain's most influential composers. Alwyn's legacy endures, captivating audiences with his rich and diverse musical output.