I did not know the music of Elena Ruehr before seeing these CDs online and listening to some sound samples. I purchased them. I am extremely glad I did. Frankly, this music is simply wonderful. As a collector of music over many decades, I have had the experience I’m sure others with similar propensities have had: a new recording comes in, is listened to, shelved, and, if not forgotten, at least not often returned to. These string quartets are different. I have listened to them several times and go back to them from time to time. Written from 1991 to 2012, these are obviously modern string quartets by a contemporary composer. They are, however, extremely accessible, eschewing the austere modernism that can emerge in some modern string quartets as hair-raising shrillness or obscure sounds that seem to emanate from nether regions. (Sometimes I’m in the mood for that—I’m just saying you won’t find it here.) If you enjoy the string quartets of George Rochberg, or Peter Schickele’s String Quartet No. 1 “American Dreams” (to which I hear some real affinities), you will enjoy Elena Ruehr’s contributions to the genre. They are substantial contributions—original, beautifully constructed, fully imagined, and a joy to listen to.