The Nightingale String Quartet’s survey of the complete quartet works of Rued Langgaard (1893-1952) heralded the arrival of a major new ensemble and won the maverick Danish composer thousands of new fans. Poised and restrained one minute, wild and emotional the next, Langgaard’s string quartets reveal the composer’s breathtaking originality and individuality, oscillating between luscious Romanticism and outlandish experimentation. They are played with love and understanding on these multiple prize-winning recordings, here gathered together in a single release for the first time. “The Nightingale Quartet understand all these aspects: the provocative vitality, the fragile romantic sensitivity, and the striking intellectual independence behind it all.” (BBC Music Magazine) “Simply breathtaking.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

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Review excerpts of previously released volumes included in this set:


Langgaard: String Quartets V. 1

The performances here are marvelous, make no mistake. The Nightingale String Quartet relishes every bizarre nuance, from the chugging locomotive in the Second Quartet to the “Agitato orribilmente” and “Burlesco rustico” sections of the single-movement Sixth Quartet. But the playing never turns crude, and never indulges Langgaard’s wackier ideas at the expense of solid musical values.

– ClassicsToday


Langgaard: String Quartets, Vol. 2

Besides Langgaard's delightful, fundamentally hospitable music, the NSQ's interpretations are also most commendable. A blend of expressive astuteness and technical self-confidence leaves the whole project smelling aptly of roses.

– Gramophone