Release Date: 06/11/2006

Antonín Dvořák

String Quartet No.13 in G major Op.106

I. Allegro moderato

II. Adagio ma non troppo

III. Molto vivaceIV. Finale. Andante sostenuto

Leoš Janáček

String Quartet No. 2 "Intimate Letters"

I. Andante

II. Adagio

III. Moderato

IV. Allegro

In their forth release since singing exclusively to Virgin Classics, The Artemis Quartet present an album of chamber works by two of the most renowned Czech composers, Dvorák and Janácek.

The quartet has been playing together since 1989 and with this line up since 1994. Previous to signing with Virgin Classics their former recordings won them several international awards. Until last year, they were part of BBC Radio Three’s New Generation Artists and are now confirming their rapidly rising reputation as the most promising string quartet of their generation.

Janácek’s "Intimate Letters" quartet, commissioned by the Bohemian quartet in 1923, was inspired by his long and spiritual friendship with Kamila Stosslova - the composition was intended to reflect the character of their relationship as revealed in more than 700 letters they exchanged with each other. It is considered by most to be Janácek's finest chamber work.

Dvorák’s String quartet Op. 106, composed after his stay in the USA, is amongst the greatest of all his chamber works, and of which the Adagio ma non troppo is considered one of Dvorák’s most deeply felt slow movements.