The story of Herbert Howells’s string quartet, called “In Gloucestershire”, is one of repeated mishap and recomposition over several years. In essence, his first effort, which he wrote as a young man in the summer of 1916, was lost on a train journey between Lydney (his birthplace) and Gloucester. Eventually a later version became his Quartet No 3, but an earlier attempt, from 1920, was found and reconstructed. This is the version performed here.
A lyrical mood, with echoes of Ravel’s String Quartet (1903), especially in the short scherzo, is mixed with folk-dance pastoralism. Whether or not you have in your mind’s eye Howells’s beloved Cotswolds at the time of the Great War, this is a stirring work, full of vitality, expertly played here by the London Chamber Ensemble. The Three Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op 28, in similar vein, are from this same rich period of Howell’s creative life; two are included here.
The other main work is by Howells’s teacher at the Royal College of Music, Charles Wood (1866-1926). He probably wrote his undated String Quartet No 6 in D towards the end of the first world war. Melodic, expansive, with hints of Irish folk song and a touch of Brahms, it’s an attractive work that merits this committed and rewarding performance.