Terra Memoria

The successful Finnish string quartet Meta4 shows Saariaho’s relationship with the string quartet in a nutshell. From her first work for string quartet and electronics, Nymphéa, to the poignant Terra Memoria, written in 2006, Saariaho’s love of strings shines through. Terra Memoria, subtitled ‘for the deceased’, stands in beautiful contrast to Haydn’s sunny String Quartet Op. 20 No. 2. A combination that Saariaho liked very much.

Founded in 2001, Meta4 has become a leading advocate for Saariaho’s string quartet works. Their recording of Fleurs de neige and Terra Memoria garnered a rave review in BBC Music Magazine, and The Times called Meta4 ‘the most remarkable string quartet ever heard’. A portrait of Saariaho’s work for string quartet at the highest level.