This album features the world premiere recording of William Shield's Six String Quartets, Op. 3.
Composer Biography
William Shield, the composer, became friends with Joseph Haydn, a renowned classical composer, and often stated he learned more about music from Haydn than any other source.
Performer Biography
The Dorrit Ensemble is based at the Elder Conservatorium, one of Australia's leading tertiary music institutions, at The University of Adelaide.
Compositional Technique
William Shield's Op. 3 quartets are noted for their 'string player's grasp of textural matters,' including transparent parts that offer rewarding activity to each individual player.
Composition History
The Op. 3 string quartets by William Shield were published in 1782, a landmark year for the composer that also saw his appointment as 'house' composer to Covent Garden.
Composer Biography
William Shield, the composer, was initially apprenticed to a Tyneside boat-builder after his father's death, before pursuing music.
