Rutland Boughton - Str Qt in A 'On Greek Folk Songs' - Rasumovsky Qt (1996) [Philidor; FLAC]

Rutland Boughton was an ambitious composer whose fame and influence in the UK faded after the first third of the last century. He wanted to create a series of Celtic-inspired operas, which would be performed at festivals he would design and lead; and that worked up to the point he publicly turned over funds to a concert to coal miners on strike. After that, his political leanings lost him the financial patronage he needed.

The String Quartet on this record was also hobbled in a sense by Boughton's attitude to the critics, and his need for visual recreation. At its debut, he put his musicians behind a transparent scrim, in a completely dark concert hall. And he advertised that the work was intended "for the common folk" and that nobody, including critics, would receive free seats. This all went off about as well as could be expected. Nonetheless, the Quartet is a soaring, delightful work, a product of Boughton's honeymoon, with Greek folk songs imbedded in the work. As usual, the critics expected a traditional form, and were annoyed when they didn't get one. Nor did they like the folk material. But Boughton's vision, hear as elsewhere, is compelling.

Two bios of Boughton enclosed.


All my classical uploads can be found by searching on Philidor, or by checking this thread:

http://kickasstorrents.ee/community/show/philidor-s-classical-stuff/?page=5#post15723647