Abel, CF (1723-87) - String Quartets, Opus 8, Nos. 1-3  Ref: 4-904. Carl Friedrich Abel was a student of JS Bach's who later lived in London, where, together with CPE Bach, he arranged subscription concerts, including the first London performances of Haydn symphonies. Abel was a viola da gamba virtuoso as well as composer. A copy of the original London edition of the Opus 8 Quartets was kindly supplied by Mr. JA Hollanders with a view to publication by Merton Music, and a Sibelius transcription was made by Kitty Wyatt. Like many 18th century editions, however, it was woefully contradictory and inadequate in its phrasing and articulation. If the works were to be playable they required heavy editing, beyond the scope of Merton Music. However, the music was felt to be sufficiently attractive to merit editing to the Ourtext standard. In character, the quartets might be thought of as building on Stamitz with flashes of early Haydn. They are included in this catalogue at the Merton Music rock-bottom price, and represent a rare bargain. see sample score