Belcea Quartet
The Belcea Quartet is one of the most renowned string quartets in the world. Founded in 1994 by the Romanian violinist Corina Belcea, the primarius, who also gave the ensemble its name. Reviews speak of 'a unique balance of passion and precision' and 'one of the most impressive quartets of their generation'. The Belceas cover a broad repertoire, but get to the deepest core of quartet playing when it comes to the Classical period. Their Beethovens, the benchmark in the world of string quartets, offer the listener an unforgettable experience. In the Kleine Zaal this season, the Belcea Quartet performs all of Beethoven's string quartets, the great Viennese who died two hundred years ago in 2027.
Beethoven's String Quartets 2, 11 and 14
Haydn invented the genre, Mozart shone his divine light upon it, and Beethoven brought the string quartet to full bloom. His quartets are considered the pinnacle of the repertoire: form, expression, and craftsmanship in perfect balance. The early quartets radiate elegance and classical clarity, while the middle period sounds grand and dramatic. In the late quartets, Beethoven explores new, introspective worlds. In every program of this complete concert series, the Belcea Quartet combines different periods. Tonight, the early, balanced Op. 18 No. 2 precedes the dark Serioso Quartet. After the intermission, the groundbreaking C-sharp minor Quartet Op. 131 will be performed, which prompted Schubert to exclaim: 'After this, what is there left for us to write?'. This trio guarantees variety and depth: contrast sharpens the ear. The Belceas share with you the richness of this exceptional oeuvre.