The Fine Arts Quartet recorded César Franck’s String Quartet in D Major and, together with pianist Cristina Ortiz, his Piano Quintet in F minor. Sessions took place from 19 to 22 March at L’heure bleue, Salle de musique in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The producer was Florian B. Schmidt. The Fine Arts Quartet is one of America’s finest chamber ensembles. Their album with Glazunov’s chamber music Naxos (8.570256) was one of MusicWeb International’s Recordings of the Year in 2007, and their recording of Schumann’s string quartets Naxos (8.570151) was singled out by American Record Guide as “one of the very finest chamber music recordings of the year” (ARG, September/October 2007). Cristina Oritz has performed with such celebrated artists as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Neeme Järvi and David Zinman.

Fine Arts Quartet, César Franck recording sessions March 2008