Mozart String Quartets

Engegård Quartet Engegårdkvartetten is a popular Norwegian string quartet known for its incisive interpretations of the cornerstones of the standard quartet repertory, as well as works by both well-known and little-known Norwegian composers. Often billed as the Engegård Quartet in English-speaking countries, the group has toured heavily throughout Scandinavia, Europe, and the U.K. The Engegårdkvartetten, through several changes in membership, has a growing catalog of recordings, including 2023's Johan Kvandal: Complete String Quartets. Engegårdkvartetten was founded in Lofoten, Norway, in 2005 by violinist Arvid Engegård. Violinist Alte Sponberg, violist Juliet Jopling, and cellist Jan-Erik Gustafsson were the other original members of the ensemble. The group made its official debut at the 2006 Lofoten International Chamber Music Festival, an annual event for which Engegård serves as artistic director.

Founded in 1992, the Brentano String Quartet is named after Antonie Brentano, whom some historians believe was Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved.” Its members – violinists Mark Steinberg and Serena Canin, violist Misha Amory, and cellist Nina Lee – teach at Princeton University, where the ensemble is in residence. The group plays the standard repertoire, though Renaissance music and modern avant-garde works are also featured on their programs. The Brentano Quartet has toured the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Australia, appearing at Carnegie Hall, the Library of Congress, Wigmore Hall, the Concertgebouw, the Konzerthaus, Suntory Hall, and the Sydney Opera House. The quartet recorded music for the 2012 film, A Late Quartet, and released several albums, primarily on the Aeon label.

Formed under the midnight sun in Lofoten in 2005, the Engegård Quartet has rapidly become one of Norway’s most sought after ensembles.

Formed under the midnight sun in Lofoten in 2005, the Engegård Quartet has rapidly become one of Norway’s most sought after ensembles.

The Armida Quarter, darling of BBC young artists and due to perform at the Wigmore Hall, they will also play at the BBC PROMS on 29 August 2016 at the Cadogan Hall. The new album contains Beethoven Op. 59 No 1 and Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 10, two very difficult pieces. "Opus 59 is extremely challenging", remarks Martin Funda, the leader of the Armida Quartet. "One needs time to grasp these pieces. As performers, we are surprised again and again to note how quickly Beethoven star ts leading us into unfamiliar waters.