The most prolific and quintessential Czech quartet of our time

Lauded for their immediately recognisable sound and unmatched interpretation of a canonical Czech repertoire, the Pavel Haas Quartet—named after Janáček’s most talented student who perished in the Holocaust—returns to the Hong Kong Arts Festival, riding on the success of its two sold-out concerts in 2012. Since releasing its debut CD in 2006, the ensemble has won five Gramophone Awards, two French Diapason d’Or prizes and the coveted title of Gramophone’s Recording of the Year in 2011.

In an all-Czech programme, the Pavel Haas Quartet pays homage to Dvořák, Janáček and Martinů. Written as a companion piece of the ever-popular “American” Quartet, Dvořák’s Quintet exudes comparable charm and folk influences. Inspired by Tolstoy’s tragic novella The Kreutzer Sonata, Janáček’s string quartet was the composer’s first foray into the medium at a late age, and a major triumph. Evoking Vivaldi and Czech folk dances, Martinů’s final string quartet is a uniquely crafted yet overlooked gem.

^{Approx 1 hr 15 mins}

Martinů
String Quartet No 7, H 314, “Concerto da Camera”

Janáček
String Quartet No 1, JW VII/8, “Kreutzer Sonata”

Dvořák
String Quintet No 3 in E-flat major, Op 97*

First Violin
Veronika Jarůšková

Second Violin
Marek Zwiebel

Viola
Pavel Nikl, František Souček*

Cello
Peter Jarůšek

Read the House Programme

"Finding Your Own Janáček" Artist Sharing

"Intimacy and Obsession in Janáček and Martinů’s String Quartets" Guided Talk

"Into the Czech Lands" Online Exhibition