Signum Quartett
Florian Donderer, Violin
Annette Walther, Violin
Xandi van Dijk, Viola
Thomas Schmitz, Cello
Agentur Andrea Hampl
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Wanderers Nachtlied (Arrangement by Xandi van Dijk)
Franz Schubert
Quartet Movement in C minor D 703
Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)
Waltz (Arrangement by Xandi van Dijk)
Leoš Janáček (1854-1928)
String Quartet No.1 ("Kreutzer Sonata", inspired by Tolstoy's story)
Franz Schubert
String Quartet No. 14 in D minor D 810 "Death and the Maiden"
The Signum Quartet invites us to witness the encounter between the Viennese composer Franz Schubert and the Moravian composer Leoš Janáček: We hear how string instruments can sing in Schubert's works (in the quiet Goethe setting of "Above all peaks is peace") or rise up in rebellion (the standalone quartet movement and the D minor quartet make it audible). The quartet movement serves as the link between Schubert's early quartets and his three late, great quartets. At the heart of the D minor quartet is the variation movement on the song "Death and the Maiden" with lyrics by Matthias Claudius, where Death lures the reluctant maiden with a gentle voice. The intense emotions are reflected in the other movements of the quartet as well.
Like Schubert, the Moravian composer Leoš Janáček was fascinated by words: one can hear it in his magnificent operas as well as in his instrumental music, which is shaped by the rhythms and stresses of the Czech language. His first string quartet captures the immense tension of Leo Tolstoy's "Kreutzer Sonata": it tells the story of how music, especially Beethoven's eponymous violin sonata, can affect people and incite actions, even leading to furious jealousy and murder. The narrator believes he can hear from the passionate playing of his wife and the violin-playing house guest, that there must be something more than just shared joy in making music together.
Again, we hear the poet's intimate relationship with music in the small melancholic waltz that Tolstoy created at the piano and a friend transcribed: Xandi van Dijk, the violist of the Signum Quartet, has reworked it for his ensemble, promising everyone a new discovery!
Biographies of artists or portraits of ensembles often overflow with superlatives. The Signum Quartet, based in Bremen, is no exception, however, this ensemble led by violinist Florian Donderer, violinist Annette Walther, South African violist Xandi van Dijk, and cellist Thomas Schmitz, reveals other intriguing aspects. Both in their concert programs and their CD recordings, the ensemble strives for a special dramaturgy that tells a story and merges works into a cohesive whole. Thus, this evening is sure to be an exciting journey through cultural history!
Doors open at 6:30 PM
Hallo, ich bin Maya.
