STRING QUARTETS 5 & 6

String Quartet No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 44 No. 3
String Quartet No. 6 in F minor, Op. 80
Capriccio in E minor, Op. 81 No. 3
Fugue in E flat major, Op. 81 No. 4

"fabulous unanimity, tonal warmth and care over detail...All the performances are very fine, but the Escher’s account of Op 81 is truly exceptional, driven by an intensity, and a scarcely concealed rage, that grips the music from the thrilling opening of the first movement and never slackens throughout."
BBC Music Magazine - Christmas 2016 *****
 
"The E flat major is given a bright and tender account, with balances judged finely, whether between the instruments or between the myriad emotions that flash through its fizzing duration…the Escher Quartet’s playing [in the F minor] is full of propulsive intensity that never stints on anguish, but they manage to keep their lightness of touch, letting the music make its points with swift, pure directness…a wonderful disc"
The Guardian - 8th September 2016 *****

"Het Escher-kwartet is SUPERIEUR. Intens, expressief, spelend alsof één persoon vier strijkinstrumenten bespeelt, zo homogeen bewegen ze zich tussen licht en schaduw, forte en piano. Ook in klankrijkdom is dit het summum van kwartetspel. De hele Mendelssohn-Escher kwartet-reeks scoort al hoog, maar deze afsluiting doorstaat elke vergelijking. Voor 'anders' is altijd ruimte, maar beter kan ik het me niet voorsteollen."
LUISTER MAGAZINE 720