London-based Arditti Quartet Returns for Wien Modern

In Brief: Music, Nov. 2012

Arditti Quartet performs at the Konzerthaus as part of the Wien Modern festival | Photo: Astrid Karger

Leading the bill at Wien Modern is the London-based Arditti Quartet, one of the world’s greatest interpreters of contemporary string quartets: Over 700 works have received their première in the hands of these approachable virtuosos.

The main piece on the programme, Luigi Nono’s Fragmente–Stille, An Diotima (1979-1980), is based on poetry by the Romantic poet Friedrich Hölderlin. The score is interspersed with 53 quotations from Hölderlin’s works addressed to his lover Diotima, to be “sung” silently by the players.

The sparse music verges on silence; it hesitates, waits, pauses. And either allowing you to sink into a meditative state, or even doze off. Why not?

Arditti Quartet
2 Nov., 19:00
Konzerthaus
3., Lothringertr. 20
(01) 242 002
www.konzerthaus.at

Wien Modern: 22 Oct. – 16 Nov.
www.wienmodern.at
www.viennaticketoffice.com