Aldeburgh Strings is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1959 by the British composer Benjamin Britten and the violist Cecil Aronowitz. The ensemble was named after the town of Aldeburgh in Suffolk, England, where Britten lived and worked for much of his life. The founding of Aldeburgh Strings was part of a larger effort by Britten and his partner, the tenor Peter Pears, to establish a music festival in Aldeburgh that would showcase new and innovative works by British composers. The first Aldeburgh Festival took place in 1948, and it quickly became a major event in the British classical music calendar. Aldeburgh Strings was initially made up of a group of young musicians who were associated with the festival, including the violinist Manoug Parikian, the cellist William Pleeth, and the violist Frederick Riddle. Over the years, the ensemble's membership changed, but it remained a core part of the Aldeburgh Festival, performing in many of its concerts and premiering numerous new works. One of the highlights of Aldeburgh Strings' early years was its performance of Britten's own String Quartet No. 2 in 1951. The quartet, which was written in memory of the composer's friend and fellow composer Henry Purcell, is a complex and emotionally charged work that showcases Britten's mastery of the string quartet form. Aldeburgh Strings' performance of the quartet was widely praised, and it helped to establish the ensemble's reputation as one of the leading string ensembles in Britain. In the years that followed, Aldeburgh Strings continued to perform at the Aldeburgh Festival and at other venues around the world. The ensemble's repertoire was wide-ranging, encompassing works by both British and international composers. Some of the highlights of its performances during this period included its rendition of Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings in 1953, and its performance of the American composer Elliott Carter's String Quartet No. 2 in 1960. In addition to its performances, Aldeburgh Strings also made several recordings during this period. One of its most notable recordings was of Britten's String Quartet No. 3, which was released in 1961. The quartet, which was written in memory of the composer's friend and fellow composer Michael Tippett, is a deeply personal work that reflects Britten's own struggles with illness and mortality. Aldeburgh Strings' recording of the quartet was widely praised for its emotional intensity and technical precision. In the 1970s, Aldeburgh Strings underwent a period of transition as several of its founding members retired or passed away. However, the ensemble continued to perform and record, and it remained an important part of the Aldeburgh Festival. One of the highlights of this period was its performance of Britten's String Quartet No. 1 in 1976, which was part of a series of concerts celebrating the composer's 60th birthday. In the 1980s and 1990s, Aldeburgh Strings continued to evolve, with new members joining the ensemble and new works being added to its repertoire. One of the highlights of this period was its performance of the British composer Harrison Birtwistle's String Quartet in 1995. The quartet, which was commissioned by the Aldeburgh Festival, is a challenging and complex work that showcases Birtwistle's innovative approach to composition. In addition to its performances and recordings, Aldeburgh Strings also received numerous awards and accolades over the years.

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