Alexander Glazunov - Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1 (Tippett Quartet)

Information

Composer: Alexander Glazunov

• String Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 1
• String Quartet No. 2 in F Major, Op. 10
• String Quartet No. 3 in G Major, Op. 26 "Slavyanskiy"

Tippett Quartet

    John Mills, violin

    Jeremy Isaac, violin

    Lydia Lowndes-Northcott, viola

    Bozidar Vukotic, cello

Date: 2026

Label: Naxos

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Alexander Glazunov’s seven string quartets span his entire career and stand alongside his symphonies in importance, blending nationalist elements with Classical structure. His First String Quartet (1884), written in his youth, earned the prestigious Glinka Prize. The Second Quartet demonstrates notable growth in expressive depth and formal cohesion, particularly in its highly regarded slow movement. The Third Quartet, often called “The Slavonic,” is distinguished by its vivid incorporation of folk-inspired themes, reflecting Glazunov’s engagement with Russian musical identity.

Tippett Quartet is a versatile and internationally active ensemble with performances at major venues such as Wigmore Hall, the BBC Proms, Kings Place, and the Royal Festival Hall, alongside regular broadcasts on BBC Radio 3. The quartet has toured widely across Europe, Canada, and Mexico, and maintains an extensive recording catalogue, including acclaimed releases of works by Henryk Górecki and Krzysztof Penderecki. Deeply engaged in education, it has held residencies at Cambridge University and Royal Holloway, and frequently collaborates with contemporary composers such as John Adams and performers across genres. Their work also spans interdisciplinary projects, film music, and premieres of rediscovered and newly commissioned works.