String Quartets
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The Esterhazy Quartet offers informed, sensitive performances of these extraordinary quartets.

The recording of James Willey's String Quartets Nos. 3, 7 and 8, marks the culmination of a decades-long partnership between the composer and the Esterhazy Quartet, which began in 1977 with the Quartets performance of his String Quartet No. 1. Since then the Esterhazy Quartet has performed and recorded all eight of the composer's works in this genre. Aided by this long, closely-knit collaboration in which ideas, revisions and artistic inspiration would flow back and forth between composers and performers, James Willey has created one of the most beautiful and personally expressive canons of string quartets in the latter part of the 20th century.
Contents:
James Willey, composer
String Quartet No. 3
The Esterhazy Quartet

James Willey, composer
String Quartet No. 7
The Esterhazy Quartet

James Willey, composer
String Quartet No. 8
The Esterhazy Quartet

Review:
"I can unequivocally state that Willey has firmly placed himself in the top echelon of American composers writing in this medium. ...The coruscating playing of the Esterhazy Quartet can scarcely be over-praised. Any composer would be gratified to have his work presented in such stellar fashion...In sum, I have not the slightest hesitation in recommending this release enthusiastically to anyone interested in the fine art of quartet writing." (Fanfare)

"The Esterhazy Quartet plays with evident passion and devotion..." (American Record Guide)

"Art has to find a way to move ahead to live. And a composer like Willey shows us how, shows us a 'territory ahead' to be explored and recognized." (Positive Feedback)