Review by Hubert Culot
Review by Jonathan Woolf
Review by John France
Review by University of Virginia
'...Butterworth's Suite for String Quartet is the real thing. The Bridge Quartet's unaffected playing and oaky, wide-grained tone fits it beautifully' GRAMOPHONE 2017
'an overall programme that skilfully interweaves its vocal and instrumental items to give a thoughtful and revealing portrait of the two main composers featured herein. It is recommended …. not least as the contribution of Charles Daniels (best known for his interpretation and editions of Baroque music) is so attuned to the songs in question. Michael Dussek is as ever an attentive accompanist, and the Bridge Quartet continues its persuasive exploration of English music' ARCANAFM 2017
Review at www.musicweb-international.com
Gary Higginson
'The performances are superb, the recording vivid and beautifully balanced. The presentation is ideal and if in any way you like English music then this disc is a must. Even if you don't this disc is a must. In fact you have little choice: buy it, please.'
THE ENGLISH PHANTASY
Frank Bridge
Quartets 1 & 4
"The Bridge Quartet traces the often delicate, filigree, intertwining figures with sensitivity and aplomb - [they are] totally dedicated to this music, interpret with impressive insight and conviction". BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE 1998 *****
"the eponymous quartet plays both works with outstanding expertise and obvious devotion to the music” SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 1997
"an outstanding recital of Bridge chamber works ….., the music comes surging off the page. Ripely expressive, yet always sensitive to Bridge's textural inventiveness, this fine ensemble sounds utterly transported by these rarefied sounds." STRAD 2009
"The finest account yet of the Rhapsody Trio….rarefied and plangent by turns, the present performance can be expected to serve as the benchmark for some time to come" …… INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW 2009
“a landmark recording, with gripping ensemble of two Bridge pieces that, given his influence on Britten and his deservedly growing reputation, may be seen as pivotal…a highly recommendable disc” STRAD 2005
"Suave Gallic chamber music beautifully played" BBC Music Magazine 2014
"This CD brought me over an hour's worth of unalloyed listening pleasure….The Bridge Quartet and its individual members, plus Michael Dussek, piano, Bryn Lewis, harp, Richard Alsop, double bass, and Somm's excellent recording, make this a must-have release" FANFARE 2014
"Seventy minutes of intimate undeservedly neglected British music by the excellent Alwyn ... the 1948 Winter Poems superbly conjure atmosphere ... very worthwhile"
The Times 29 June 2007
The Bridge Quartet's players - joined by violist Robert Gibbs in the Quintet - are, as can always be counted on, exemplary in technical address and masters of musicality. They are also serious artists dedicated to promoting the works of their native English composers FANFARE 2014
"This is music that above all needs to be 'sung', to be exulted in - and this is where the Bridge Quartet really comes into its own. The group affectionately cocoons this music, enabling its lyrical impulse to emerge with as about as much warmth as it can take" STRAD CHAMBER MUSIC CD of MONTH in MAY 2001