Composer and novelist; Anthony Burgess; was a remarkably diverse artist. The three guitar quartets on this album range from the well-crafted First Quartet intended as a homage to Ravel; while the Second and Third Quartets explore virtuoso technique alongside adventurous and at times haunting harmonies and polytonality. A selection of Burgess's arrangements for guitar quartet are also featured; including Holst's Mercury; the Winged Messenger from The Planets. Three of Burgess's orchestral works can be heard on 8.573472 and The Bad-Tempered Electronic Keyboard: 24 Preludes and Fugues on Grand Piano GP773.

Tracklist:

I. TrÃ¨s vif [04:20]
II. Passacaille: Assez lent [04:14]
III. TrÃ¨s vivace [04:17]
The Planets, Op. 32: III. Mercury, the Winged Messenger (arr. A. Burgess for guitar quartet) [04:08]
II. Scherzo: Presto [03:25]
III. Chorale: Moderato [04:31]
IV. Rondo: Allegro [04:49]
No.
The Ballad of Persse O'Reill y [02:04]
No.
The Lark in the Clear Air [02:01]
No.
Jig, "The Irish Washerwoman" [00:52]
I. Allegro vivace - [05:07]
II. Andantino [02:52]
III. Moderato molto [04:11]
Oberon, J. 306: Overture (arr. A. Burgess for guitar quartet) [08:57

UPC: 747313442379
Label: Naxos
Release Date: 9.22.23
Format: CD

Burgess / Holst / Mela Guitar Quartet - Complete Guitar Quartets (CD)