They begin their Spring 2012 tour in Cork on Thursday 9 February playing their customarily varied mixture of repertoire, ranging from Haydn - the master of the Quartet genre, to the quietly contemplative Arvo Part.
They begin their programme with Haydn's Quartet No. 2, Op.76, nicknamed "Quinten" or "Fifths", referring to the four opening notes of the music, falling fifths, incidentally known to many of us as the world famous first four notes of Big Ben's chime! With its "Witches Minuet" and spirited last movement, "The Donkey", it represents the pinnacle of Haydn's achievement in a medium he pioneered.
Shostakovich considered his Ninth Quartet "completely different" from his previous writing, dedicating it to Irina, his third wife and completing it in 1964. It is a work full of contrasts, vibrant and energetic, calling on "themes from childhood".
The evening's entertainment continues with Arvo Parts' deeply spiritual Summa and concludes with a performance of Beethoven's Quartet No. 4, Op. 18, sombre yet witty, making a perfect end to a night of exceptional music-making.
Details of tour venues as below:
Thursday 9 February: Curtis Auditorium, Cork School of Music, 8pm. Tickets at door, €16/14/10
Thursday 23 February: Siamsa Tire Theatre, Tralee, 8pm. Tickets €16/13; Booking - 066 712 3055
Friday 24 February: Birr Theatre and Arts Centre, Co Offaly, 8pm.Tickets €16/14; Booking - 057 912 2911. www.birrtheatre.com
Saturday 25 February: Black Abbey, Kilkenny, 8pm. Tickets €15/10; Booking - 056 776 1497 mikilkenny@gmail.com