Spectrum for String Quartet, Score

Hoddinott's 'Music for String Quartet' succeeds in providing the players with opportunities both for beautifully lyrical playing in some sections, and a more funky percussive approach in others. Gorton's 'Second String Quartet', subtitled 'Frozen Landscapes', is brilliantly evocative. Fitkin's 'String' is a fun piece with almost a bossa nova feel to it.The edition is immaculately presented and extremely user-friendly. The parts are well-laid out in nice big print with awkward page turns avoided wherever possible. Useful performance notes by the composers are provided, including explanations of special effects. These pieces really do fill a gap in the market.There is little contemporary music for string quartet that isn't fiendishly difficult, which is offputting even for the most advanced students. Perhaps most importantly, all three of the pieces are accessible for even the most phobic of contemporary music sceptics, not a squeaky gate in sight.

• Music for String Quartet [Alun Hoddinott] ; Frozen Landscapes [David Gorton] ; String [Graham Fitkin]