The string quartets of Béla Bartók (1881 – 1945) are among the most beautiful, melancholic works ever written. Powerfully resolute, full of humour and ravishing in their beauty, his six string quartets are milestones in the history of musical development. Many musical connoisseurs view them as the modern response to Beethoven’s monumental string quartets. Three of Bartók’s late chamber music works complete the programme. Contrasts for clarinet, violin and piano, commissioned by the clarinettist Benny Goodman, is followed by the masterly sonata for two pianos and percussion. The programme concludes with the sonata for solo violin, an extremely virtuosic work of multiple rhythmic layers which is also Bartók’s last chamber music work.

Artists

BÉLA BARTÓK
String Quartets no. 1 – 6 
Sonata for violin solo 
Contrasts 
Sonata for two piano’s and percussion

ASKO|SCHÖNBERG
KELLER QUARTET 
violin
Liza Ferschtman