Maier Quartet

The Maier Quartet was formed in 2018 and consists of musicians from the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. They are named after Swedish composer Amanda Maier-Röntgen (1853–1894). The members of the Maier Quartet are Patrik Swedrup and Johannes Lörstad, violin; Arne Stenlund, viola; and Klas Gagge, cello. 

First we hear a world premiere. Ylva Skog (born 1963) has composed works in most formats, and in addition to a large quantity of chamber music, she has composed orchestral works and opera, as well as music for the theatre and dance. The title, Stabilitas loci, means The Stability of the Place, and comes from one of the three Benedictine vows – the vow to remain in the monastery. 

Skog’s new quartet is followed by the first of Bo Linde’s (1933–1970) two works for string quartet. During the harsh, modernist-oriented post-war period, the enormously talented Linde went his own way, with a flowingly melodic, expressive and outwardly oriented style. The string quartet op. 9 is a milestone of his oeuvre, because here, Bo Linde definitely achieved his own mature style in an impressive way – at just 20 years old. 

Beethoven’s great String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, op. 132, includes a full spectrum of emotions. It is one of Beethoven’s most fascinating pieces, and it is easy to agree with what a contemporary critic wrote: “big, wonderful, rare, surprising and original music.”