Artwork: Simon Joplin

"…and the birds sang too."

Aylwin String Quartet
String quartets of Howard Burrell and two younger associates Nicholas Barton and Elfyn Jones. An exciting and challenging collection of work that encompasses lyrical to spikey.

Cat. Number: 020011014 Year of issue: 2008
Duration: 78:42 No. of tracks: 15
Recording date: 22nd & 23rd of May 2008 Recorded at: St Johns Church, Hatfield

Overview

The story of the title of this CD is written in the booklet, but is absolutely true and did present us with an immediate problem. However some advice I was given as a very young man, simply “always be yourself and take things as they are.” Excellent advice which stood us in good stead at this moment; this is how it is, let’s not pretend it’s something else!

Nick Barton I have known for a long time, since he came to take his A levels in Norwich. We have kept in touch since and I like to feel I have assisted him in his career on occasions. Elfyn Jones I met only comparatively recently (10 years ago) as the result of sitting on a “Making Music” panel apportioning composers to performing societies. I immediately sensed something about Elfyn’s music and chose him to write a couple of pieces for us at The University of Hertfordshire. We have kept in touch ever since.

The Aylwins are all friends who have worked together for perhaps more years than we all care to remember making music joyfully!

Howard Burrell

Press quote

"Simply stunning"

Musician Magazine, Summer 2009

Track Listing:

Track Title Duration Composer
1 String Quartet No.2: I. Vivo 6.30 Howard Burrell
2 String Quartet No.2: II. Adagio, molto espressivo 6.13 Howard Burrell
3 String Quartet No.2: III. Presto 3.32 Howard Burrell
4 String Quartet No.1: I. Andante 5.02 Elfyn Jones
5 String Quartet No.1: II. Allegro vivace 4.54 Elfyn Jones
6 String Quartet No.1: III. Tempo giusto 4.21 Elfyn Jones
7 String Quartet No.1: IV. Allegro scherzando 3.50 Elfyn Jones
8 String Quartet No.4 ("Fragments"): I. Recitative 1.47 Howard Burrell
9 String Quartet No.4 ("Fragments"): II. Sonatina 3.38 Howard Burrell
10 String Quartet No.4 ("Fragments"): III. Andantino 4.41 Howard Burrell
11 String Quartet No.4 ("Fragments"): IV. Scherzando 2.51 Howard Burrell
12 String Quartet No.4 ("Fragments"): V. Larghetto 4.36 Howard Burrell
13 String Quartet No.4 ("Fragments"): VI. Finale 2.24 Howard Burrell
14 String Quartet No.2 13.17 Nicholas Barton
15 String Quartet No.5 11.06 Howard Burrell

Album Contributors:

Executive Producer - Howard Burrell
Producer - Howard Burrell
Chief Engineer - Daniel Halford
Engineers - Adrian Walker, Will Taitt
Design - Dominic Halford
Artwork - Simon Joplin
Administration - UHArtsTess Kullander