Takács Quartet : 'Bartók Cycle'

March 22-
BARTÓK: Quartets Nos. 1, 3, and 5

March 23-
BARTÓK: Quartets Nos. 2, 4, and 6

Unquestionably among the great ensembles of our time, the Takács Quartet returns to Cal Performances with a rare treat for its many Bay Area fans: the complete cycle of Bartók string quartets, performed over two consecutive days. Bartók's quartets have been at the very heart of Takács's repertoire since the group was founded in Budapest in 1975, and it was a recording of those works that put their name on the international map. Now, the quartet wears the music of Bartók like "an old but beautifully tailored coat" (Sydney Morning Herald). Like no other quartet, the Takács highlights the spirited humor and sprightly folk traditions in these masterpieces, playing Bartók's famously driving rhythms with delicacy, finesse, and uncommon clarity.