Haydn, Mendelssohn, Britten... and passing seagulls: Elias Quartet in Brighton

Sixteen of the finest string players around join forces on one stage to end the East Neuk Festival in a grand finale. 

Making their long-awaited debut in Japan, the Elias String Quartet embarks on the complete Beethoven cycle with a contrasting programme of early and late quartets.

Alice Neary and the Elias Quartet display the full emotional range in a captivating performance of Schubert's String Quintet to close the BBC Proms Chamber Music series at Cadogan Hall.

Musica Viva claims to be the largest presenter of chamber music in the world, and in the last few years, they have brought world-renowned ensembles to Australia such as the Takács and Tokyo Quartets, as well as many exciting newer groups such as the Pacifica Quartet.

Music fans love to get the whole picture. We consume box-sets, bootlegs, alternate takes, and artist interviews – all in the name of completeness. Some people say a good CD library should have at least three Eroicas and five Fifths to be complete, while music magazines might recommend more. Of course, live music venues have their own shot at completeness when they schedule a “cycle”.