Purity of sound and perfect craftsmanship marked Anton Webern's journey from his intensely expressive early songs through to the new perspectives cultivated in his Opp. 23 and 25 settings. Webern 'rehabilitated the power of sound' and in so doing broke new ground in the Bagatelles for string quartet and in the String Quartet, Op. 28. This recording, completing Mr. Craft's second Webern cycle, is rounded off with the powerful Cantata, Op. 29 and Webern's 1923 arrangement of Schoenberg's Chamber Symphony, Op. 9. Throughout his career, Robert Craft has conducted symphonic, orchestral, operatic and large ensemble performances, including world premiere works by leading 20th c. composers. His many recordings of music by Igor Stravinsky, Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern recordings for the Naxos Label have received critical acclaim, up to and including Grammy® Award nominations.