The String Quartets

A massive treat for Jethro Tull fans and classical aficionados alike: The String Quartets is an album of classic Jethro Tull repertoire, imaginatively arranged for Classical string quartet with the flute, guitar and vocals of songwriter and producer Ian Anderson. For some time, Ian (Jethro Tull frontman and virtuoso flautist) and John O'Hara (keyboard player with Tull and Anderson) had discussed the prospect of a specially conceived album of classic Jethro Tull repertoire orchestrated for a string quartet. Ian and John first saw the Carducci Quartet at the London Symphony Orchestra's LSO St Luke's and, mesmerized by the group's symbiotic relationship which results in their playing as one single musical organism, Ian invited them to take part in the recording. Two violins, a viola and a cello make up that perfect combination of instruments that is the string quartet. Composers such as Beethoven, Bartók and Britten have written for it, and Anderson's music is reborn in this format. With judicious additions of flute, acoustic guitar and mandolin along with a few vocal sections, this album offers Tull fans the opportunity to enjoy familiar melodies and songs within the styling and traditions of Classical Music.