I must thank the Rough Guide for recommending the complete string Quartets of Elizabeth Machonchy whose quartet cycles is one of the best of the Twentieth Century along side those of Bartok and Shostakovich.. Machonchy (1907-1994) had a long compositional career beginning at eighteen not concluding to her death. Initially she was more successful abroad than at hoe due to the fact that she was a woman but eventually she earned respect at home and was awarded a Dame of the British Empire by the queen for her musical contributions .Macnchy was a modernist who was influenced by Hindemith and Bartok. Maconchy wrote string quartets throughout her life and wrote thirteen in total, perfectly played on these discs by the Hansen, Bingham and Mistry quartets. Most o the liner notes are by the composer who explains why she chose to write string quartets and a description of each oneQuartet no 1written when she was 25 is described as "extrovert, direct and rhythmic in high spirited energy.No 2 one of my personal favorites begins with a heartbreakingly beautiful molto lento and concludes with pizzicato allegro.Number 3 is a single movement.No.4 written during WWII is a darkly brooding quartet demonstrates her technique of building the material of one cell beginning in the opening cello pizzicato.Quartet no5 another personal favorite won an award contains an achingly beautiful slow movement that brought tears to my eyes.No 6 begins with a memorable Passacaglia lasting seven minutes.Quartet no 7 another favorite contains five independent movements with a good amount of cross-referencing includes two delightful scherzos.Quartet Number eightIs Machonchy's most dissonant quartet is quite thrilling using multiple pizzicatosString quartet number nine is typical of Machonchy's later more condensed style is mournful throughout.Number ten another personal favorite is in a single movement is dissonant featuring viol solosNumber 11 in a single movement was described by the composer as "a piece of woven material with contrasting colors and patterns running through it." Also features viol solos is arresting from start to finish.Quartet number 12 consists of four independent movements contains a very beautiful lento non troppo..Quartet 13 another personal favorite is called "Quarttetto Corto" by the composer who says though short in time at eight minutes but not in the scope of the musical language. The quartet has three movements, an opening allegro moderato and a concluding allegro risoluto flanked by the lento which is the heart of the work with solo passagesPease excuse any typos I have a neurologic disease.Highly recommended for anyone interested in classical music.