Sibelius: String Quartet Roundup

This recording Roundup focuses on two early string quartets from Sibelius. Both are performed by the Tempera Quartet on BIS.

String Quartet in E-flat Major

The outer movements of this quartet are abounding in freshness and joy. I can't say I hear much of a hook which makes the E-flat a 'Sibelius' string quartet, but such is the way with early works. 

The inner movements each have a different character, generally contrasting the outer movements with minor-keyed haunts. These are both very brief portions of the quartet, although brevity never bothers me. These ones, though, are really short! 

The second-movement Andante molto is flung around by the Tempera Quartet at a pulse-racing Allegro, perhaps explaining the short runtime. The Scherzo, on the other hand, does not bring to mind that musical title in the third movement, raising a melancholy minor-keyed dance at a rather poky tempo instead.

I am guessing the major draw to this recording of the String Quartet in E-flat Major are the 52(!) tracks of early quartet works from Sibelius. If they are similar to this quartet, it should be a pleasant listen, if not particularly making one grasp their listening partner in excitement.

String Quartet in B-flat Major

The String Quartet in B-flat Major is a much more fleshed out work, one even afforded an Opus number.

The hallmark qualities of Sibelius can be found here. Strong melodic utterances flavored with modal harmonies run throughout. The composer also judiciously moves the melodic interest across the four instruments, never making the first violin the sole focal point.

The music of the B-flat is always moving, never static, where the complex textures are always bogged down with movement. This may seem a detrimental comment, but I noticed the listener was never really given a chance to rest.

Some of this could be due to the Tempera Quartet. This Finnish Quartet came to recording the Sibelius quartets on BIS in the mid 2000s, disrupting the hold from the Sibelius Academy Quartet, who had reigned supreme for an Age-and-a-half on record.

The Tempera Quartet features, in contrast to the older quartet, a manic, frenetic pacing. It is really exciting, but at some point I wished for a breath from their all-in performances. Clean rhythmic definition is missing at times in the fastest parts, although they are good at making the melody shine no matter where it lies amongst the quartet.

Still, I prefer Tempera's passionate view to the staid, wiriness of the Academy Quartet. Really what needs to happen is for a new set to come along.

Recording Roundup

String Quartet in E-flat Major, JS 184
  Tempera Quartet
  BIS 2005

String Quartet in B-flat Major, op. 4
Tempera Quartet
  BIS 2007

Find more Sibelius recordings HERE!