Octets by Mendelssohn and Enescu

The British Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective is a successful young ensemble that not only performs brilliantly but also champions an idealistic vision of unity that fits the current zeitgeist. ‘Like many people, we worry about inequality, prejudice, violence, bullying and divisive rhetoric’, they state. They hope their music inspires different perspectives, believing that ‘chamber music unites musicians as equals, and draws listeners in to its intimate, transportive world’.

Their programming is equally contemporary. Kaleidoscope performs the classical canon, expanding it with works by under-represented composers. The Polish composer Grażyna Bacewicz is one example. Her String Quartet for the unusual line-up of four violins is compelling music that, with its folk music influences, is reminiscent of Béla Bartók. Felix Mendelssohn’s Octet is one of the most famous works for this instrumentation. George Enescu’s grand, lyrically romantic Octet is performed less frequently, though it has been a regular fixture at the Muziekgebouw.

Tickets: € 12,50 – € 43,00