The Cambridge Companion to the String Quartet
Robin Stowell
Cambridge University Press
This survey of the string quartet by ten chamber music specialists focuses on four main areas: social and musical background to the genre's development; celebrated ensembles and their significance; and string quartet playing. It reviews aspects of contemporary and historical practice, including "mixed ensembles." Informative appendixes and a full chronology of the mainstream repertory complete this compact guide.

Was the first book to provide such a comprehensive view of the string quartet
Considers the repertory for string quartet as well as practical aspects of performance
Edited by the best-selling Cambridge editor of companions to the violin and cello