06. - 09. Edvard Grieg - String Quartet in G minor, op.27 [37'21]
New Helsinki Quartet
Warner Apex 0927-406012 (recorded September 1997 for Finlandia; this CD release 2001)
(flac and scans)
Recording venue: Sigyn Hall, Finland
Recording engineer: Matti Heinonen; Producer: Pekka Savijoki
Warner Apex's characteristically minimalist booklet excels this time by not even listing the members of the New Helsinki Quartet giving these excellent performances for the Finlandia label. I understand that the Quartet is actually made up of principals of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra; formed in 1982 and was winner of the London International String Quartet Competition in 1994. Members that I have found listed are Petri Aarnio and Taija Kilpio- violins, Ilari Angervo- viola and Joel Laakso- cello although I have no way of knowing if this is the team for this recording.
I have enjoyed these enthusiastic and intense performances over many years. They seem particularly appropriate for these two lyrical quartets.