Beautiful performances of three of Schubert's major string quartets
Schubert's string quartets are among the most popular items in the realm of chamber music and for that reason alone there will be a lot of interest from the public. The music is performed by the Raphael Quartet, who have a well-earned reputation in this field and it was on the express wish of the Quartet itself that these works were recorded because they felt they had something new and worthwhile to offer with their interpretations of these master pieces.

In the summer or 1981, four string players from various orchestras of the Netherlands Broadcasting Corporation banded together to form a string quartet which they named after the great Italian sculptor, painter and architect Rafaello. In 1983, the Quartet became an official ensemble of the Dutch radio network and made its official concert debut in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. The repertoire of the Raphael Quartet spans a range or styles and periods from Haydn to Shostakovich and many invitations for international concerts have led to a growing critical reputation. The Raphael Quartet recorded for Globe already some well-received programs: Mendelssohn String Quartets and lhe String Quartets by Franck and Debussy.