THE verve and sensitivity of one of the world's best string quartets will be at The Anvil in Basingstoke tomorrow.

Now on their farewell tour, The Lindsays are well known as experts in the interpretation of the works of Haydn, Beethoven, and Mozart.

Their masterful, yet diversified, repertoire ranges from the works of French composers Debussy and Ravel to the romance of Bohemia with the likes of Dvorak and Smetana, and British composers such as Britten and Tippett.

In fact, Sir Michael Tippett has even been quoted as saying: "The Lindsays are indeed the best friend a composer could have."

Playing a Stradivarius violin, Peter Cropper promises that The Anvil audience is in for a real treat.

He said: "You can expect one of the best quartets by Haydn, who wrote 45 masterpieces. The Ravel quartet is probably the most popular quartet from the 20th century, and Beethoven's last quartet, with a slow movement, is fantastic."

The Lindsays, who have been playing together for 40 years, comprise Ronald Birks, who also plays a Stradivarius, Robin Ireland on the viola and Bernard Gregor-Smith on the cello.

Peter said: "We formed at the Royal Academy of Music in London, but took our name from Lord Lindsay, founder of Keele University where we were the resident quartet from 1967 to 1972.

"We named the quartet after him because Keele University gave us five years with a Leverhulme fellowship, instead of naming it after ourselves, as some quartets do."

The spontaneity and communicative power of the quartet have led to an international following.

"I've enjoyed playing with the quartet and being paid to travel all around the world," said Peter.

"We've played Hong Kong, where we had a fantastic response, Japan and used to enjoy playing in California - but now, with the visa restrictions, it's not so much fun going there."

Peter is passionate about his music and really wants the audience to get a better idea of what each work meant to the composer.

"Our music is about the most intimate thoughts of the great composers and we appeal to people who like music which is felt through the heart rather than just played mechanically," he said.

Apparently, the quartet is looking forward to returning to The Anvil, which is known for the quality of its fine acoustics for classical music.

"We like playing in 'the round' - where we have the audience all around us. We did last time we were at The Anvil and I hope we will be able to this time, because it means that the audience are nearer to you, which is what our music is all about."

With 40 years of their professional lives spent as The Lindsays, Peter said the four now plan to explore other areas of work and take on new musical challenges in performance and teaching.

"We're retiring at the end of July. I'll miss it, but I want to go out while I am still enjoying it.

"After all, there aren't many people doing the same job for 40 years."

Tickets for The Lindsays cost £17 and can be purchased from the box office on 01256 844244.