THE MIDLAND STRING
QUARTET: Frank Cantell (violin); Elsie Stell
(violin); Arthur Kennedy (viola); Leonard Dennis (violoncello)
LES VENDREDIS is a collection of small chamber works which had their origin in the musical parties which the Russian publisher, Belaiev, was in the habit of giving to the great school of Russian composers of those times, the members of which were indebted to Belaiev, not only because he was their publisher, but because he was far more their friend. In token of this friendship and as a gesture of esteem it was the habit of each composer to contribute in turn a little chamber work to be played at Belaiev's parties. To the number of sixteen they were later published.