GEORGE ONSLOW (1784-1853): String Quartets in D Minor, Op. 10/2, in F Minor, Op. 9/3 and in B Flat, Op. 21/3.

Description: By now, we probably don't have to convince anyone of the quality of Onslow's string chamber music so, aside from pointing out that the two earlier works here (1813/14) are inspired by the spirit of Haydn and Mozart and that the 1822 B flat quartet has much more in the way of lyrical and expressive qualities germane to the composer's then-nacent interest in writing for the stage, we'll just point out that two are first recordings (Op. 9/3 has been done before) and that these are the first Onslow recordings on period instruments. Quatuor Ruggieri.