Shanghai Quartet

29/10;Wednesday;8pm     Dom Pedro V Theatre     Tickets: MOP 250, 200

Weigang Li, Violin
Yi-Wen Jiang, Violin
Honggang Li, Viola
Nicholas Tzavaras, Cello

PROGRAMME
F. J. Haydn: String Quartet in D minor, Op. 76, No. 2 “Quinten”
K. Penderecki: String Quartet No. 3 “Leaves of an Unwritten Diary” (written for Shanghai Quartet’s 25th Anniversary in 2008)
F. Schubert: String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D. 810 “Death and the Maiden”

Formed at the Shanghai Conservatory in 1983, the Shanghai Quartet has become one of the most prominent, exciting and refined chamber ensembles on the classical stage today. Hailed by The Washington Post for their “wonderfully ferocious and illuminating performances,” the ensemble has collaborated with virtually all the leading artists of today. An extensive touring schedule sees them performing throughout Europe, North America and Asia, which includes feature appearances at many of the leading chamber music festivals around the world. The Quartet commands a thrilling and vast repertory ranging from traditional Chinese folk music to the masterpieces of the Western classical tradition. However, it is equally at home in the world of contemporary music, commissioning and premiering works by contemporary composers. Krzysztof Penderecki, widely acknowledged as Poland’s greatest living composer, wrote his String Quartet No. 3 “Leaves from an unwritten Diary” specifically for the Shanghai Quartet. Premiered in 2008, this work is perhaps the single most significant string quartet composition of our young 21st century. In this year’s festival, the Shanghai Quartet will proudly perform Penderecki’s masterpiece alongside string quartets by Haydn and Schubert. You simply cannot afford to miss this unique opportunity to experience music history in the making!

Duration: approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, including one interval