While the Emerson, Takács and Pražák were all founded in the mid-1970s, between the Berg (1970) and Hagen (1981) quartets, the Artemis Quartet was born in 1989, preceding the Jerusalem (1993), Belcea and Pacifica quartets (1994), and Miró (1995). This important table situates the string quartets which marked the discography in the CD era. Basically, we can return to these Artemis recordings made between 1996 and 2018 as we return to those of Emerson, Takács and Pražák. We realize, with the publication of this box set, that in this generation, more than Belcea, Pacifica or Miró, the Artemis serve as a reference for the repertoire covered, their consistency and their balance. Time will tell what will settle (Dover, Danois, Calidore…) after the cessation of activities, in 2021, of this remarkable ensemble which defined itself as “intellectually radical, but highly emotional […] ; contemporary and revolutionary, but rooted in tradition.” A major sum.
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