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ARTISTS: Edward Dusinberre (violin), Károly Schranz (violin), Geraldine Walther (viola), András Fejér (cello)
Hailed by The Guardian as “the greatest string quartet in the world”, the Takács Quartet returns to New Zealand.
Renowned for playing with a unique blend of drama, warmth and humour, the Takács Quartet combine four distinct musical personalities to bring fresh insights to the string quartet repertoire.
Drawing on their Eastern European roots, the Takács Quartet will play works by Janáček and Bartók. Janáček’s quartets are intense, gripping and deeply emotive, while many people consider Bartók’s six String Quartets to be among the greatest compositions of the chamber music repertoire. Alongside these feature the cornerstones of French chamber music: Debussy’s Quartet in G minor and Ravel’s Quartet in F.
The Takács Quartet tour Australia with Musica Viva before coming to New Zealand. Their australian programmes also includes Janáček's String Quartets No. 1 & 2. Below music writer James Koehne shares insight into the composer and these two compelling works.
Edward Dusinberre, first violin for the Takács Quartet, sits down with Musica Viva to discuss their current Australian tour, Janácek, and putting all his energy into his performances.
| Date | Programme | Time | Venue | Centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 July 12 | Programme One | 8pm | Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts | Hamilton |
| 6 July 12 | Programme Two | 8pm, free pre-concert talk 7pm | Auckland Town Hall | Auckland |
| 7 July 12 | Programme One | 7.30pm, free pre-concert talk 6:30pm | Wellington Town Hall | Wellington |
| 9 July 12 | Programme One | 8pm, free pre-concert talk 7pm | Napier Municipal Theatre |
Napier |
| 10 July 12 | Programme Two | 7.30pm | EVENT SOLD OUT Middleton Grange Performing Arts Centre | Christchurch |
Review excerpts from the Australian tourRead full review- 21 Jun 2012
The performance was stunning; four instruments with one sound, four musicians with one voice.Read full reviewAndrew Buchanan-Smart , Waikato Times - 05 Jul 2012
Perfection is a rare commodity in the performing arts but, on Friday, the Takacs Quartet gave us just that.Read full reviewWilliam Dart, The New Zealand Herald - 16 Jul 2012
Full of the distinctive changes in mood, the quartet could scarcely be better played than it was here.Read full reviewJohn Button, The Dominion Post - 09 Jul 2012
Are they the best string quartet? In a crowded field of excellence they are about as close as you can get.Read full reviewGarth Wilshere, Capital Times - 11 Jul 2012
It is difficult to find superlatives to describe the expressive musicality and flawless technique of this string quartetRead full reviewJune Clifford, Hawkes Bay today - 12 Jul 2012