* En anglais uniquement
The
Duke Quartet is an English string quartet that specializes in contemporary and British music. Founded in the late '80s, it made its recording debut on the pop label Factory Records of Manchester. The first Collins Classics release, a collection of works by Samuel Barber, Antonin Dvorák, and
Philip Glass, was recognized with a special mention in the Cannes Classical Music Awards. The
Duke Quartet continued to record for Collins until it folded; since then the group has recorded for Naxos, Black Box, and Sony BMG. The
Duke Quartet works closely with several composers, in particular enjoying a long association with South African composer
Kevin Volans. But it has also premiered works by
John Tavener,
Michael Nyman, Emily Hall,
Rolf Hind, Graham Fitkin, and Marc Mellits. The
Duke Quartet records extensively backing up musicians in the pop and rock fields, beginning with Morrissey on the album Viva Hate in 1988, but also with
the Pretenders (with whom they've toured), the Cranberries,
the Corrs, and Blur.