Work: String Quartet no. 27 in D major, Op.20 no.4, Hob III:34

The leading French quartet Quatuor Ébène makes a mighty leap from a pre-revolutionary world in 1772 to the turbulence of 1923, only to return to sheltered calm in 1842: works by Haydn, Janáček and Schumann.

****1

Kelemen Quartet brings Hungarian fire to Auckland

Simon Holden, 19 Mar

Auckland has not seen chamber music of this sheer magnetic excitement since, funnily enough, the Takács Quartet were here a couple of years ago. There must be something in the water in Hungary for that country to concurrently have two such magnificent string quartets.

*****

The Badke Quartet play Haydn and Britten

Alexandra Hamilton-Ayres, 21 Feb

Freezing lunchtime weather made the golden uplighting on the stage a particularly welcome sight. The Badke Quartet played two pieces in this hour-long programme: Haydn’s Quartet in D major Op. 20 no. 4,, and Britten’s Quartet no. 3.

****1