Métamorphoses: Haydn / Ligeti / Brahms Dudok Kwartet

• Joseph Haydn (1732–1809): String Quartet in C major, Op. 54, No. 2:
• 1I. Vivace06:09
• 2II. Adagio03:06
• 3III. Menuet03:46
• 4IV. Finale05:41
• György Ligeti (1923–2006): String Quartet No. 1:
• 5Métamorphoses nocturnes21:45
• Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) :
• 6Intermezzo in A minor, Op. 116, No. 203:50
• 7Intermezzo in E major, Op. 116, No. 404:41
• 8Intermezzo in B minor, Op. 119, No. 104:22
• 9Ballade in G minor, Op. 118, No. 303:32
• Total Runtime56:52

Info for Métamorphoses: Haydn / Ligeti / Brahms

Prize-winning Amsterdam-based string quartet, the Dudok Kwartet, make their recording debut here with an enthralling and eclectic programme of works by Joseph Haydn, György Ligeti and Johannes Brahms. Recipients of the prestigious 2014 Kersjes Prize for an exceptional Dutch chamber ensemble the quartet have a rapidly growing reputation as one of the most promising young European strings quartets.

Exploring the theme of metamorphoses in the music of the three composers represented here, these exquisite performances feature music from the entire spectrum of the quartet repertoire, from fresh interpretations of Haydn's C major quartet from his Op. 54 to the technical limits explored in Ligeti's first string quartet, Métamorphoses nocturnes, and the quartet's own effective arrangements of Brahms piano intermezzi.

Dudok Kwartet:
Judith van Driel, violin
Marleen Wester, violin
Mark Mulder, viola
David Faber, cello

Dudok Kwartet
In June of 2013, the Dudok Quartet has finished their studies at the Dutch String Quartet Academy with highest distinction. Due to their successes at international competitions, the quartet has been recognized one of the most promising young European string quartets.

In November of 2014 the Dudok Quartet was awarded the Kersjes Prize, an award annually given to an ensemble of exceptional talent in the Dutch chamber music scene.

The Dudok Quartet was finalist and laureate of the 7th international string quartet competition Quatuors à Bordeaux in May of 2013. Furthermore, the Dudok Quartet has won 1st prizes at both the 1st International String Quartet Competition 2011 in Radom (Poland) and the 27th Charles Hennen International Chamber Music Competition 2012. In November 2012 they received the 2nd prize at the 6th Joseph Joachim International Chamber Music Competition in Weimar (Germany).

The members of the quartet first met in the Ricciotti Ensemble, a Dutch street symphony orchestra. From 2009 till 2011 the Dudok Quartet studied with the Alban Berg Quartett at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne. After that, they studied with Marc Danel at the Dutch String Quartet Academy. During the same time, the quartet was coached intensively by Eberhard Feltz, Peter Cropper (Lindsay Quartet), Luc-Marie Aguera (Quatuor Ysaÿe) and Stefan Metz.

Many well-known contemporary classical composers, such as Kaija Saariaho, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Calliope Tsoupaki and Max Knigge worked with the quartet on their music. In 2014, the Dudok Quartet has signed for several recordings with Resonus Classics, the world’s first solely digital classical music label.

The Dudok Quartet has performed with many renowned guest musicians such as Pieter Wispelwey, Dmitri Ferschtman, Quirine Viersen, Hannes Minnaar and Mikhail Zemtsov. The Dudok Quartet performed at many prestigious festivals, such as the Gergiev Festival, the Grachten Festival, the Orlando Festival, Festival Quatuors à Bordeaux and Festival Jeunes Talents (France), the Linari Classic Festival (Italy), the Léon Chamber Music Festival (Spain). Furthermore they gave concerts at every main concert hall in the Netherlands and in venues in France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Cyprus.

Highlights of the 2015/2016 season include the quartet’s performances in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Konzerthaus in Vienna, as well as the première of Kaaija Saariaho’s new opera at the Dutch National Opera, with Philippe Jaroussky.

Willem Marinus Dudok (1884 – 1974) was a famous Dutch architect. He was also a great lover of music: he came from a musical family and composed music in his spare time. “I owe more to composers than I owe to any architect”, he wrote. "I feel deeply the common core of music and architecture: after all, they both derive their value from the right proportions."

The Dudok Quartet was finalist and laureate of the 7th international string quartet competition Quatuors à Bordeaux in May of 2013. Furthermore, the Dudok Quartet has won 1st prizes at both the 1st International String Quartet Competition 2011 in Radom (Poland) and the 27th Charles Hennen International Chamber Music Competition 2012. In November 2012 they received the 2nd prize at the 6th Joseph Joachim International Chamber Music Competition in Weimar (Germany).

The members of the quartet met in the Ricciotti Ensemble, a Dutch street symphony orchestra. Since January 2009 the ensemble consists of its current members. From 2009 till 2011 the Dudok Quartet studied with the Alban Berg Quartett at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne. After that, they studied with Marc Danel at the Dutch String Quartet Academy. They participated in master-classes with members of the Lindsay Quartet, the Takács Quartet, Ysaÿe Quartet and Eberhard Feltz.

The Dudok Quartet gave the world première of Julius Röntgen’s Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra in the Czech Republic, followed by concerts in the Netherlands. Also, many well-known contemporary classical composers, such as Kaija Saariaho, Mark-Anthony Turnage and Calliope Tsoupaki worked with the quartet on their music. The Dudok Quartet has performed with many renowned guest musicians such as Pieter Wispelwey, Dmitri Ferschtman, Ferdinand Erblich, Mikhail Zemtsov and Quirine Viersen. The Dudok Quartet performed at many prestigious festivals, such as the Gergiev Festival, the Grachten Festival, the Orlando Festival, Festival Jeunes Talents (Paris) and the Linari Classic Festival (Italy). Furthermore they gave concerts in every main concert hall in the Netherlands and throughout Europe.

Willem Marinus Dudok (1884 – 1974) was a famous Dutch architect. He was also a great lover of music: he came from a musical family and composed music in his spare time. “I owe more to composers than I owe to any architect”, he wrote. "I feel deeply the common core of music and architecture: after all, they both derive their value from the right proportions."

Booklet for Métamorphoses: Haydn / Ligeti / Brahms