This is the third and final volume of the string quartets of the important but long-neglected Basque composer Andrés Isasi (1890-1940). Initially influenced by Grieg and Dvořák, Isasi studied under Humperdinck in Berlin, where he acquired a love of Germanic culture, reflected in both Quartets heard on this recording. Much of the Violin Sonata’s thematic material has tangible links to Basque melodies and songs though there is also an element of Richard Strauss. His remaining quartets can be heard on Naxos 8.572463 and 8.572464, while Isasi’s Symphony No. 2 and Suite No. 2 are available on 8.557584.
