“…The Fitzwilliam Quartet, whom I admire very much. Thank you for a superlative performance of my thirteenth quartet.”

-D. Shostakovich in a personal letter on his String Quartet No. 13, York University (1972)

John Ramsay String Quartets 1-4, Divine Art (2012)
“While the music is intellectually challenging, it's also very approachable, making for one of the most interesting chamber releases to appear in some time. The performances by the Fitzwilliam String Quartet are impeccable… razor sharp precision, confidence and emotional commitment. The sound is exceptionally clear.”

–Robert E McQuiston, Classical Lost and Found

Concert, Jack Lyons Hall, Univetsity of York (2011)
"It was a revelation to hear Bruckner’s quintet played on instruments with this gut string set-up appropriate to the time of its composition, and to hear it performed with a flexible lyricism that has become a rare thing in Bruckner performance. But above all this was a performance that communicated splendidly the work’s generous and tender heart and the profundity of its composer's vision."

–Ken Ward, The Bruckner Journal

Brahms Clarinet Quintet, Mozart Clarinet Quintet mvt, Glazunov Rêverie orientale, Linn Records SACD CKD 278 (2007)
“…a triumph: the most revelatory version of the [Brahms Clarinet Quintet] I’ve heard in years; animated, dynamic, passionate…. I have no hesitation in naming this the new benchmark”

–BBC Music Magazine

Franck String Quartet, Decca 476 8463 (June 2006)
“A magnificent performance [of the Franck Quartet], superbly triumphing over the technical challenge with totally dedicated, passionately convincing playing; one of the finest chamber music records of the 1980s.”

–Penguin Guide to Compact Discs

Haydn Seven Last Words from the Cross, Linn Records CKD 153 (April 2001)
“A chaste, inward reading [of the Seven Last Words], deeply musical and thoughtfully articulated……I’ll stick with this beautifully balanced new recording.”

–The Gramophone

“In this new recording [of The Seven Last Words] the members [of the FSQ] succeed fabulously well. This disc is an unmitigated delight…one of unrelenting beauty.”

–Musical Heritage (USA)

“The Fitzwilliam quartet, on period instruments, give a superb performance of these marvellous pieces, conveying all the passion and poignancy in the music.”

-Early Music News

Haydn String Quartets Opp.1/6, 71/2, 77/2, Dunelm Records, DRD0172 (2001)
“Careful attention to dynamics, with outstanding playing by all members, also contributed to one of the most joyful and spiritually uplifting CDs that I have ever heard: moving profundity and sublime jollity through Haydn’s glorious music.”

-Ian Milnes

“...the set as a whole is one to rejoice in.”

-David Cairns, Sunday Times

“Although nearly ten years old, these memorable live performances are eminently worthy of issue...they are above all marked by a balance and maturity of conception that speaks of long partnership.”

-Early Music Review

“Focusing on exploring three string quartets to the fullest, this is lively, charming music that feels like it could add class and elegance to any set of speakers it touches.”

-Chris Spector, Midwest Records

Rubbra Quartet No. 2, Wigmore Hall (May 2001)
“A powerful and emotionally committed performance of Rubbra’s Quartet No.2….a sublime stream of thought beautifully laid to rest by the Fitzwilliam in the tranquil Adagio coda.”

-The Independent

Concert, Grahamstown, National Arts Festival, South Africa (June 2001)
“Touches like these are what give the Fitzwilliam, for whom bold programming and superb playing are equal music, the edge over most other quartets in the world. The standing ovation, which a packed house gave them was not only for their integrated sound and fine ensemble, it was clearly also for the revelation of new worlds in old works.”

–Cue

Concert, incl. Tchaikovsky String Quartet No. 3, Agora, St Petersburg (September 2000)
“The playing of the music was absolutely immaculate, with its subtle feeling of style and deep penetration into its content. The intensity with which they played shone through, and musicians and audience alike were caught up in a common extravaganza. The culmination of this evening [Tchaikovsky No.3], in the former flat of Modest Tchaikovsky, was performed so faithfully, "in Russian", by the British musicians. I very much hope that the Fitzwilliam Quartet will be a permanent guest of St. Petersburg.”

-Alexander Kantorov, St Petersburg Times

Schubert String Quintet, York Early Music Festival (July 1998)
“The enthralling rendition, with Moray Welsh, of Schubert’s Quintet in C was one of the highlights of the 1998 festival.”

–Early Music Today

Concert, Doncaster Art Gallery (1998)
“The Fitzwilliam is a world-class quartet, and recently graced the Museum with playing of breathtaking precision, outstanding concentration, marvellous style and authority. They afforded astonishing variety of mood and period covering 300 years – do we have a more versatile quartet? A gorgeous musical experience.”

-Philip Scowcroft, Doncaster Free Press

Shostakovich String Quartet No. 4, Borodin String Quartet No. 2, Wigmore Hall (July 1997)
“The Fitzwilliam in its reincarnated state, with Lucy Russell as leader, captured the soul of the music [Shostakovich No.4] in their absorption with every gesture and shading. Borodin’s Quartet No.2 was played with similar passion and an effortlessly rich collective tone.”

-The Strad

Delius String Quartet, Bradford University (1980)
“This was the best performance of the Delius Quartet I have ever heard.”

-Eric Fenby