Amongst the greatest and most acclaimed of the younger Czech quartets, and featuring that burnished string sound, we look forward to the 6th Vancouver concert in 14 years by this group. “A great chamber music experience, at the end of one of music’s most challenging years.“ (Bachtrack) “A quartet in its element…intense, highly charged music. … Continue reading Pavel Haas Quartet »

Our first concert with this German piano quartet. “A musical sensation, highly virtuosic, with verve and spirit” (Schwäbische) “Ecstatic, elegant, explosive, and cultivated…it seems impossible to escape this sound.” (Die Rheinphalz) Mozart: Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, K 493 Walton: Piano Quartet in D Minor Schumann: Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Opus 47 Download Concert … Continue reading Notos Quartett »

Hear profound artistry from our returning friends, steeped in American and Russian musical traditions. “This piano trio is one of the very few distinguished American trios before us.” (Vancouver Classical Music) “Together their playing was almost startlingly intimate.” (Washington Post) Haydn: Piano Trio in A Major, HOB XV:18 Beethoven: Piano Trio in G Major, Opus … Continue reading Han Finckel Setzer Trio »

A first visit from this accomplished German ensemble. “high emotional intelligence” “supreme technical accomplishment” “personal and profound” (BBC Music Magazine) “With no ifs or buts, the ‘Schumanns are amongst the best quartets in the world” … “one of the most exciting string quartets of the present day.” (Fono Forum) Mozart: String Quartet No. 20 in … Continue reading Schumann Quartet »

Our perennial favourites, growing from the classic Hungarian tradition of string playing. “Classical music doesn’t get much more life-enhancing than this.” (The Guardian) “Rich contrasts: a Wigmore Hall evening of dazzling versatility…” (Seen and Heard International) Haydn: String Quartet in C Major, Opus 54, No. 2 Britten: String Quartet No. 2 in C, Opus 36 … Continue reading Takács Quartet »

A return visit by this group playing in the classic Bohemian/Czech string tradition. ” A warmth that recalled the proximity of coffee house and concert hall in the old Austro- Hungarian empire.” (The Strad) ” Poetic…powerful…It was the kind of performance that grabbed you by the collar and refused to behave.” (Los Angeles Times) Milhaud: … Continue reading Pražák Quartet »

Our 2nd visit from this group that blends American, Israeli, and German string playing traditions. “…high-energy music making presented with impeccable clarity and impressive virtuosity.” (Calgary Herald) “…a gripping and often very subtle reading, setting ear-melting tenderness against seething passion with a deft and precise touch” (The Washington Post). Ravel: String Quartet in F Major … Continue reading Ariel Quartet »

Our first concert from this German group. “This quartet plays on four instruments, but with one soul.” (Klassik-begeistert, Germany) “…the four musicians played with a fascinating inner unity and in perfect balance, but each with notable individual characteristics.” (Cellesche Zeitung) Haydn: String Quartet in E-flat Major, Opus 33, No. 2 “Joke” Shostakovich: String Quartet No. … Continue reading Gropius Quartet »

A return engagement with this impressive Czech ensemble, playing Romantic and more modern Czech music. “…[the quartet is] renowned for their clarity of structure, as well as their beautiful tonal palette and purity of intonation in their execution.” EuroArts Erwin Schulhoff: String Quartet No. 1 Leoš Janáček: String Quartet No. 2 Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quintet … Continue reading Bennewitz Quartet with pianist Arsentiy Kharitonov »

Our first performance from this German quartet is a mixed programme of melodic beauty and tonal range. “Prepare for a deeply moving experience.” Strings Magazine. “Fury, tenderness, terror, sardonic humour and resignation were here in a journey that left the listener bruised and breathless.“ The Times Erwin Schulhoff: Five Pieces for String Quartet Matthijs van … Continue reading Signum Quartet »