A track from the Solem Quartet’s album ‘Painted Light’ has recently been included in the playlists for three BBC Radio 3 programmes that are curated with rest and relaxation in mind.

An excerpt of the quartet’s recording of British composer Edmund Finnis’ String Quartet no, 3, Devotions, appears on a recent edition of Classical Wind Down, with presenter Niall Breslin introducing the recording as “beautifully performed”. The programme may be heard by following this link, with the Solem Quartet’s segment beginning at 1:05:40.

Soundwaves, hosted by composer, producer and DJ Afrodeutsche, brings together escapist new music from the UK’s cutting edge of contemporary artists, and the quartet’s recording was included in a programme that also featured new releases by Brian Eno and Max Richter.

Available until 10th December, the programme can be heard here, and the quartet can be heard beginning at 46:30.

Edmund Finnis’ work was the choice of guest Sheku Kanneh-Mason on a November edition of Ultimate Calm, presented by Ólafur Arnalds. In his introduction, Kanneh-Mason described Finnis’ quartet as “a piece that draws the listener in”, with the quartet’s performance beginning at 31:00 – please visit this page to hear the broadcast.

Known for their creative programming and advocacy for new music, the Solem Quartet’s ‘Painted Light‘ (Delphian, 2023) is an album “awash with colour” that also includes music by Camden Reeves, Lili Boulanger, Henriëtte Bosmans, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, and Joni Mitchell.

They will perform Finnis’ String Quartet no. 3 in May 2025 as part of their concerts for Music in the Round and the Alnwick Music Society, details of which may be found by following the links below.

Music in the Round | 19 May 2025 | 7:30pm
Alnwick Music Society | 28 May 2025 | 3:00pm