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“a superb performance of the Second Quartet, one of Zemlinsky's greatest and most radical achievements...The Eschers sustain the huge span of music magnificently, while making sure that every tiny detail of Zemlinksy's meticulous string writing is heard.” - The Guardian “the Eschers take the music by the scruff of its neck, playing with tremendous virtuosity and subtlety of nuance. Recorded in first-class sound, they hold the listener spellbound from first bar to last. Overall, this recording is a tremendous achievement by any standards.” - BBC Music Magazine “Both are likeable pieces with one foot in the future, the Escher Quartet on this new recording alert and responsive... a performance that probes the depths and surges forwards with a sense of inevitability that, given what the century had in store, is 'authentic' in the truest possible sense.” - Gramophone The acclaimed Escher Quartet present their second volume of string quartets by turn-of-the-century Viennese composer, Alexander Zemlinsky. Mentored by Brahms and brother-in-law to Schoenberg, Zemlinsky moved in illustrious circles, and cultivated a lyrical but innovative musical language that is particularly prevalent in his String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15 from 1915, included on this release, along with his String Quartet No. 1 in A Major, Op. 4 from 1896.