Album insights
In 1877, after years of work in Oslo, Edvard Grieg and his wife Nina moved to Hardanger, where he composed several masterpieces, including his String Quartet No. 1 in G minor. Franz Liszt, upon hearing Grieg's quartet for the first time, praised its uniqueness and brilliance, likening it to a bridge between Beethoven's late quartets and Debussy's work fifteen years later.
Seeking inspiration, Grieg based his entire quartet on the melody of his Ibsen song "Spillemaend" (Op. 25, No. 1). This motif, present in all four movements, unites the composition from the dramatic G minor opening to the enchanting G major finale. Grieg's quartet stands out for its rich orchestral-like density, utilizing fortissimo double stops across instruments simultaneously, a departure from traditional chamber music norms.
During a difficult period in Copenhagen in 1891, plagued by self-doubt and lack of artistic inspiration, Grieg expressed dissatisfaction with his work. Despite these challenges, he managed to compose two movements of his String Quartet No. 2 in F major before deciding to return to Oslo in April. Grieg's inner struggle with unfinished compositions persisted until his death, with unfinished works haunting him.
Although Grieg couldn't complete the Quartet himself, his friend Julius Röntgen took on the task posthumously, arranging and performing the first two movements. In a private performance at Röntgen's house, the quartet was played by renowned musicians, a moment Grieg sadly never experienced. Over the years, efforts were made to complete Grieg's unfinished Quartet, with Levon Chilingirian revisiting the original manuscript and sketches to ensure authenticity and produce a practical edition reflecting Grieg's original intent.