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Over the course of their 35-year career, the Emerson String Quartet has firmly established its place as one of the preeminent string quartets of the world. Yesterday, Sony Classical announced the signing of an exclusive contract with the ensemble, and gave details about the quartet's first two recordings for the label. The Emerson's stated, “We have long admired Sony Classical’s roster of great artists...We are proud to join this roster and look forward to a new, exciting relationship with a great company." Bogdan Roscic, President of Sony Classical, said of the ensemble, "the Emerson String Quartet is quite simply the world's most important string quartet…It is an absolute privilege to have them on Sony Classical." Ariama.com had the opportunity to speak with the Emerson Quartet about the upcoming albums, their history as a pioneering force in the chamber music genre, and their roles as educators of a new generation of musicians. The Emerson Quartet's debut album for Sony Classical, which will be released in November, 2011, features Mozart's "Prussian" Quartets K. 575, K. 589 and K. 590. Philip Setzer, co-principal violinist of the group, noted that, "the last three Mozart quartets are a huge statement from the late classical period," and that both of the announced recording projects include, "pieces we've always wanted to record, and now we have a great opportunity to do that". Cellist David Finckel commented enthusiastically that the Mozart quartets contained, "some of the most beautiful and challenging cello solo parts…in the entire quartet literature, and it has been an incredible pleasure for me personally". The Emerson's list of achievements is extraordinary, and includes nine Grammy® Awards, three Gramophone Awards, and the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize. Still, with all of these well-deserved accolades, their enthusiasm never wavers when discussing the forthcoming projects for Sony Classical, their rigorous and challenging performances, and their commitment to their students.
From left to right: Co-principal violinist Philip Setzer, Violist Lawrence Dutton, Co-principal violinist Eugene Drucker, Cellist David Finckel, and Ariama.com interviewer Daniel Eno.
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