String quartets occupy a relatively central position in the musical literature of Norway. Most of the leading Norwegian composers have written one or more works in this genre. Fartein Valen and Klaus Egge were great innovators in their day and their quartets are some of their finest work. Between the two world wars each was at the forefront of opposing stylistic movements; Egge with a nationalist style based on folk-music and Valen with a more European twelve-tone polyphony. Johan Kvandal’s influences range from 1960s avant-garde to Norwegian folk-music with his work enjoying considerable popular and critical acclaim in Norway today. Alfred Janson’s talent lies in the ability to adapt his style to suit any situation. His String Quartet initially formed part of a piece of radio theatre, before developing a life of its own.