The Leonkoro String Quartet presents an evening of string quartet music spanning the Classical and Romantic periods, featuring works by Haydn, Britten, and Mendelssohn.
Joseph Haydn, often called the father of the string quartet, composed nearly 70 quartets. His Op. 76 set was his last complete cycle and represents a mature peak in his output. Quartet No. 5 — sometimes nicknamed the 'Largo' quartet after its slow second movement — features a harmonically adventurous passage midway through that briefly shifts into darker emotional territory.
Mendelssohn's String Quartet No. 6 was written in profound grief following the sudden death of his beloved sister Fanny. It was the last major work he completed; he died just two months after finishing it. The quartet is dedicated to Fanny's memory and stands as one of the most emotionally charged works of the Romantic era.
Benjamin Britten's String Quartet No. 2 dates from 1945 and was premiered at a concert marking the 250th anniversary of Henry Purcell's death. Britten donated most of his performance fees from this work to famine relief in India.
The concert takes place at Mogens Dahl Koncertsal at 20:00.