The Doric String Quartet, formed in 1998 at Pro Corda, the Suffolk-based National School for Young Chamber Music Players, made four appearances at Wigmore Hall over 2008/09 season, including the final concert of the season. 

This recital, recorded on 15 January is the quartet’s first commercial CD. It comprises three of his quartets, providing glimpses into three different periods of the composer’s life and juxtaposing one of his most famous works in the genre, Op. 76 No. 1, with two lesser-known earlier examples, Op. 9 No. 4 and Op. 50 No. 2. 

In 2008 the members of the Doric String Quartet gained a special mention for their Haydn when they competed in the Premio Paolo Borciani Competition in Reggio Emilia; overall, they were awarded second place, having the previous month emerged victorious at the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition. 

The Strad magazine, reporting from Italy, spoke of the quartet’s “great wisdom and … creativity of sound.” Having described the Doric’s interpretation of Haydn's op.76 No.1 as “magical”, the reviewer judged the quartet’s performances as ”the most inventive, engaging, moving and beautiful” of the competition.