String Quartet No.1, Fantasy in d minor, Op. 17(b)

The Fantasy (String Quartet No.1) came into being as a result of the Cobbett Phantasy Competition whose aim was to resuscitate British chamber music by encouraging British composers to write it. The form of the Phantasy was selected as it was thought to be created by 16th century British composers such as Purcell. The rules required the work to either be in one movement, although there could be sections, or in movements which had to be connected. Hence, while Holbrooke's quartet is in three movements, they are all closely related thematically and are played without interruption.

This quartet was widely regarded as one of the best of its type and received frequent performances, until it, like his other works, went out of vogue in the 1920's. Our of print for the better part of a century, we are pleased to make it available once again.