Silver Nocturnes brings together three late chamber works by English composer John McCabe (1939-2015). Although a prolific composer from an early age, McCabe first found fame as a pianist, and his mid-70s recordings of the complete keyboard sonatas of Haydn for Decca are still revered.

Commissioned by Jo Boosey in memory of her late husband Simon, Silver Nocturnes (2011) is scored for baritone and string quartet. It comprises settings of poems by Henry Howard, Sir Edward Dyer and Sir Philip Sidney, three of the ‘Silver Poets’ of the 16th century, bookended by short excerpts from Shakespeare’s Richard II. It’s accompanied by two other McCabe works for string quartet and soloist: The Woman by the Sea (2001) with piano,...