Much lauded in his lifetime, Walter Piston is remembered chiefly today for his eight Symphonies, the two Violin Concertos and the popular ballet, The Incredible Flutist.
This recording presents three of the five string quartets, which range from from the lithe neo-Classicism of the First Quartet and the rhythmic trenchancy and intense melodic writing of the Third Quartet to the forceful yet accessible Fifth. This is the Naxos début of the Harlem Quartet, an ensemble comprising First-Place Laureates of the Sphinx Competition for young Black and Latino string players.
