If Trio Dali is the baby of chamber music, the Takács Quartet is the Godfather. Founded in Budapest and steeped in the Hungarian tradition, the Takács Quartet is arguably the best string quartet in the world. Now based in the United States, it perfectly straddles the old and new worlds. Years of playing and touring together have made the group a rock-solid team that thinks and plays as one. Yet their individual personalities make each performance feel totally spontaneous. You’ll hear years of wisdom ooze from every note, guiding your ears through compelling repertoire from Janácek, Britten, Debussy and Ravel. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness one of the world’s most remarkable quartets in their element.

Program One

Leoš JANÁCEK String Quartet no 1, ‘Kreutzer’ (1923)
Benjamin BRITTEN String Quartet no 1 in D major, op 25
Gordon KERRY Variations for string quartet (2006)*
Claude DEBUSSY String Quartet in G minor, op 10

Perth Tues 19 June, 7.30pm
Sydney Sat 23 June, 2pm
Brisbane Sun 24 June, 3pm
Melbourne Sat 30 June, 8pm
 

Program Two

Leoš JANÁCEK String Quartet no 2, Intimate Letters (1928)
Benjamin BRITTEN String Quartet no 3, op 94
Gordon KERRY Variations for string quartet (2006)*
Maurice RAVEL String Quartet in F major, op 34

Adelaide Thurs 21 June, 7.30pm
Melbourne Tues 26 June, 7pm
Canberra Wed 27 June, 7pm
Newcastle Fri 29 June, 7.30pm
Sydney Mon 2 July, 7pm

*Commissioned by Diane Parks in association with Musica Viva Australia
in honour of David Bookallil’s sixtieth birthday