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'The five movements of Three Birds are, in fact, more inspired by folk than bird songs, and all luxuriate in an invigorating blend of wit and wistfulness. Hearing this, together with Total Tango and a stirring performance of the viola concertino Winter Remembered with Sarah-Jane Bradley as soloist, was a wonderful reminder of the depth and reach of Matthews' consummate artistry. A figure once considered awkwardly out of step with his time, his highly original ear and masterful craftsmanship may lead historians to accord him greater respect than his contemporaries always have… He bears comparison, in this respect, with Sibelius, who felt ill at ease with his epoch but is now considered completely central.'

 

 

'This pairing of music by Sibelius and David Matthews resulted in some exhilarating, invigorating playing …David Matthews’s String Quartet No.12. Put together from various sources and completed in 2010, this is a big piece. A central group of five movements – including short character pieces, such as a tango, a minuet and a serenade, each nicely turned – is enveloped by two larger movements at the start and end. This is an ambitious construction, but it works and, thanks to Matthews’s skill, the quartet never loses its way. The dominant impression is left by the slow movement, a canto mesto, which draws on the post-romantic world of other Matthews works in its rich, sombre colours. The energetic opening Prelude and Fugue and joyful Finale brought out the best of the Kreutzer Quartet’s invigorating playing.'