Takacs Quartet

Ludwig Van Beethoven: String Quartet in B flat, Op.18 No.6
Ludwig Van Beethoven: String Quartet in F, Op.135
Interval
Ludwig Van Beethoven: String Quartet in C, Op.59 No.3 (Razumovsky)

The intimacy of the four instruments in dialogue proved popular with patrons and audiences alike, and provided wonderful opportunities for wit, drama and structural sophistication - qualities which the Takacs Quartet brings to the fore in its scintillating performances of this repertoire. But Beethoven would take the string quartet into uncharted territory. In the Op.59 Razumovsky Quartets, Beethoven injected new emotional depth and sensitivity into the style. Named after the Russian Count who commissioned them, the Razumovsky Quartets include a recurring Russian theme in his honour. These quartets were as popular in Beethoven's day as they are now - a must-see for anyone wishing to hear Beethoven at his most expressive.

The Takács Quartet's second violinist Karoly Schranz has been advised to undergo rotator cuff surgery to his right shoulder in March and will resume performing at concerts from September 2010. The members of the Takács Quartet and Southbank Centre are extremely grateful to Lina Bahn, a close colleague of the Quartet, for replacing Karoly Schranz for the Quartet's concerts in May, which will go ahead with the advertised repertoire as planned.

Queen Elizabeth Hall at 6.15pm - Pre-concert talk. Beethoven Quartets from inside and outside with Roderick Swanston. Admission free.

The Front Room - post-concert event. Marshall Marcus and members of the Takacs Quartet discuss performing the Beethoven String Quartets. Admission free.