Quartet-lab: Mozart, Biber, Beethoven and More, Wigmore Hall

After their debut concert at Wigmore Hall blew critics away, quartet-lab return to the venue for what is sure to be an unmissable event. Known for their innovative approach to the string quartet repertoire, the dynamic ensemble present an eclectic programme, with further pieces to be announced on the night. This will certainly be a concert in which you can expect to be surprised.

The evening begins with Mozart’s ‘musical dice game’, in which a Minuet is constructed according to the result of a dice roll; Biber’s Battalia is similarly creative, a musical illustration of a battle complete with gunshots. Beethoven’s stormy and intense C minor quartet is an early gem in the composer’s output, with his streamlined textures and moments of easy lyricism showing his debt to Mozart and Haydn. Jumping to the twentieth century, Cage’s Living Room Music uses everyday objects to generate sound, while George Crumb’s experimental work BlackAngels explores mystical ideas, depicting the battle between God and the devil in musical terms.

The quartet brings together soloists at the top of their game, their different backgrounds proving a rich and stimulating combination: leader Pekka Kuusisto is a veteran jazz and folk performer, while Moldovan violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja is known for her musical curiosity and spontaneity. The group is completed by Finnish violist Lilli Maijala and cellist Pieter Wispelwey, renowned for his explorative musicianship. Their original approach to quartet repertoire is a breath of fresh air, making them one of the most exciting ensembles performing today. A must-see.