The world-famous string quartet JERUSALEM QUARTET
ALEXANDER PAVLOVSKY violin · SERGEI BRESLER violin
ORI KAM viola · KYRIL ZLOTNIKOV cello
will present, in February at the Convergences Festival in Bratislava, a unique performance of the complete set of six BARTÓK QUARTETS.
Since its debut in 1996, the Jerusalem Quartet has been one of the most sought-after chamber groups internationally. The ensemble, which last year recorded Bartók Quartets Nos. 2, 4 and 6 for the prestigious Harmonia Mundi label, has collaborated with artists such as Sir András Schiff, Steven Isserlis and Elisabeth Leonskaja. It has been celebrating the twentieth anniversary of its foundation with a worldwide concert tour, and thanks to Convergences one of the stops will be in Bratislava.
The six string quartets (1908—1939), which will be heard at Convergences, are regarded as supreme works of 19th century chamber music. In these exceptional compositions the tradition of European chamber music (Beethoven), the achievements of late romanticism (Liszt, Strauss) and the heritage of central European folk music, are all mirrored through the genius of Bartók.
The two evenings with Bartók’s quartets will be complemented by concerts where outstanding Slovak performers will present works by the Hungarian composer.
MILAN LASICA reads from Desires and Memories, a collection of texts by ALEXANDER ALBRECHT
“… whatever language we speak, and whoever our forefathers may be, all of us understand what he wants to tell us. Beethoven wrote in the score of his Missa solemnis: From his heart may he enter hearts. What I want to say to you about my friend Béla is this: do not just admire him but love him, and when he comes to you with his music, open your souls to him!”
Alexander Albrecht: Béla Bartók – As I Knew Him (Desires and Memories, HC 2008)
