In his music, Camille Saint-Saëns constantly aimed for clarity and balance, qualities he considered to be the essence of French style. The form of his wonderfully balanced String Quartet no. 1 in e, op. 112, is difficult and demanding. Past the age of sixty when he finally attempted composing a string quartet, the result was a masterpiece. The String Quartet no. 2 in G, op. 153, is more modest in its proportions. Known primarily as interpreters of choice in French post-Romantic repertoire, the echoes of praise in the press exemplify the best of the Joachim Quartet across all styles and all ages.