Maurice Ravel and Gabriel Fauré each contributed a string quartet to the chamber music repertoire, but both works masterfully reflect their different musical voices and the development of French music in the early 20th century.

Ravel's String Quartet in F major, composed in 1903, is considered a defining work of French Impressionism. Influenced by his teacher Fauré and Debussy's quartet from 1893, Ravel's quartet is nevertheless strikingly original. The piece follows the traditional four-movement structure, but is characterized by a powerful harmonic language, refined orchestration of the strings and rhythmic innovation. The first movement is lyrical and elegant, while the second creates a lively, almost playful texture through pizzicato and dynamic contrasts. The third movement offers deep introspection, and the final movement reintroduces themes in a swirling, virtuosic conclusion.

In contrast, Gabriel Fauré's String Quartet in E minor op. 121 is a late work, which he completed in 1924, shortly before his death. It was his only string quartet and reflects a more introspective, spiritual tone. Fauré, already almost deaf and physically weakened, imbued his music with a sense of serenity and resignation. The three-movement structure, unusual for a quartet, eschews virtuoso displays in favor of subtle textures and modal harmonies. The work unfolds slowly, with long, flowing lines and a remarkable economy of means, demonstrating its mature mastery of form and expression.

Together, Ravel's and Fauré's quartets represent two ends of a stylistic spectrum: Ravel's lively, youthful exploration of sound and structure contrasts with Fauré's meditative farewell. Both works, however, reveal the expressive depth and sophistication that characterize French chamber music at its highest form. As an important and essential bonus to this recording, we hear Ravel's Introduction & Allegro for flute, harp, clarinet and string quartet, a highly original and appealing work.

Played by the Quartetto Nous, the Italian string quartet that was also involved in the recording of the complete Shostakovich string quartets for Brilliant Classics to great critical acclaim.