Annika Treutler & Aris Quartett

Brief information

Pianist Annika Treutler joins forces with the Aris Quartet to explore a fascinating yet little-known chapter in the oeuvre of Jean Sibelius. The recording centres on the Piano Quintet in G minor, an early, powerful work by the Finnish composer, written in 1890 at the age of 24, which, despite its expressive density and formal boldness, is rarely heard.

The quintet is framed by selected solo piano works that make Sibelius’ characteristic musical language, with its Nordic clarity, lyrical intimacy and dramatic intensity, particularly accessible. With a fine sense of timbre and structure, Annika Treutler shapes these pieces into sound bridges that pave the way for the quintet, thereby opening up a particularly personal approach to Sibelius’ pianistic thinking. The Aris Quartet brings its characteristic precise articulation, tonal transparency and expressive intensity to this recording. Together with Annika Treutler, this results in a suspenseful, highly differentiated interpretation that sheds new light on Sibelius’ early chamber music works and impressively brings them into today’s listening consciousness.

Recorded at the legendary Teldex Studio Berlin, the production benefits from the studio’s exceptional acoustics, which significantly enhance the sound presence and attention to detail. The album is released on the decurio label.

To the album