Morgenstern Quartet Bert Morgenstern violin Bettina Goffing violin Nora Rennau viola Henning Ladendorf Violoncello
Joseph Haydn's friendly, bright and youthful String Quartet op. 1 No. 2 opens the concert like a serenade. The 50th anniversary of Dmitri Shostakovich's death provides an opportunity to place three essential works at the heart of the program. Throughout his life, Shostakovich worked under the most difficult and often threatening conditions. In his 11th String Quartet op. 122, he draws a kind of résumé of his life. In the two following quartets, No. 4 and No. 7, Shostakovich gives us deep insights into his inner life.
This music, which was written as he struggled with difficulties, can also give us courage, strength and optimism today.
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
String Quartet in E flat major Op. 1 No. 2
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975)
String Quartet No. 11 op. 122,
String Quartet No. 4 op. 83,
String Quartet No. 7 op. 108
