Solem Quartet Signs with Scottish Record Label, Delphian

The three-year partnership will allow the quartet to record major new works by composers Errollyn Wallen and Edmund Finnis

The Scottish label Delphian is renowned for its championing of living composers. Upon signing the UK-based Solem Quartet, the ensemble will produce three albums with a focus on new music.

Over the course of the three new releases, the quartet will record major new works by the British composers Errollyn Wallen and Edmund Finnis. These new works are to be paired with material from the canon — such as the quartets of Felix Mendelssohn — as well as lesser-known historical composers such as Henriëtte Bosmans.

The Solem Quartet is comprised of William Newell (violin), Amy Tress (violin), Stephen Upshaw (viola), and Stephanie Tress (cello). They were the winners of the Royal Over-Seas League Ensemble Competition in 2014, and have performed in some of the UK's most prestigious chamber music venues.

The ensemble has worked with composers such as Anna Meredith, Colin Matthews, Thomas Adès, and Jonny Greenwood. In addition, the quartet is committed to presenting live art music in unfamiliar contexts — they launched a concert series that took place in nightclubs and have also performed live soundtracks for cinema.

"We're absolutely over the moon to have signed the Solem Quartet in a brand-new three album partnership: presenting a bold vision for the next three years, with collaboration and commissioning at its heart," said Delphian of the signing.