The Scherzo by Gustav Holst, featured on this album, was a world premiere performance by the Cologne String Sextet.
Album & Artwork
The album's title, "Great Britain - Great Music," and the choice of British composers were influenced by the ongoing Brexit negotiations at the time of recording.
Instruments
The Cologne String Sextet supports the International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative (I.P.C.I.) to preserve Pernambuco wood, which is used for string instrument bows.
Recording & Production
The recording was produced by WDR Broadcasting, who suggested the album's concept of British composers in 2017, a year of Brexit negotiations.
Composition History
The string sextet is a rare genre; it only truly became recognized around the mid-1800s, notably with works by Brahms.
Performer Biography
Demetrius Polyzoides, a violinist in the Cologne String Sextet, has made readable and edited separate parts for several unearthed works, including some on this album, and published them.
Interpretation
The Cologne String Sextet had to create separate parts themselves from scores found in the British Library for some of the works on this album.
