Takacs Quartet

Recently heralded as "the greatest string quartet in the world" by The Guardian, these maestros are set to deliver an aural treat.

Event Details

Event Type:

Classical Music

Editorial Review

6 August 2008
Conservatorium Theatre - Griffith University
16 Russell St, South Brisbane

Usually when something is labelled "the best in the world" of its kind, such an assertion is taken with a large grain of salt. When people hear such praise mentioned in regards to the Takacs Quartet however, they tend to accept it. The group, whose career spans more than three decades and a few line-up changes, are in peak form at this point in their career.

The quartet was originally founded in Hungary in 1975 but relocated to the US in 1983 to take advantage of career opportunities that American universities offered them, namely the position as quartet-in-residence at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Takacs have steadily received international critical acclaim since 1977 and are well known for their innovative programming.

For their current Australian tour, the group are alternating two separate programs on different nights. As well as better-known pieces from Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert and Janacek, Takacs are exhibiting two newer works: Richard Mills' Fantasias and Capriccioand James McMillan's String Quartet no. 3. Scottish composer McMillan's piece was commissioned specifically for the group and made its stage debut earlier this year. Each night's program finds one of the contemporary pieces complemented by two works from the group's core repertoire.

Conrad Richters