The string quartets of Haydn and Beethoven are at the heart of the chamber music repertoire, works to which we return time and again, because they are, quite simply, timeless. Haydn’s ‘Rider’ Quartet, written by a master at the peak of his powers, and Beethoven’s third ‘Razumovsky’ Quartet have been a solace to generations of musicians forced to leave their homes in times of war, including many of the founding members of Musica Viva Australia.

But, over time, everything changes.

No one knows this better than the Takács Quartet. Formed in 1975 by four students of the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, this much-loved ensemble has remade itself artistically, geographically and personally across five decades on the classical stage. Now, in its 50th year, the Quartet returns to Australia with undimmed brilliance to present a major new work for string quartet and spoken voice. Created by Australian composer Cathy Milliken, in collaboration with the Quartet and actor Angie Milliken, this work is inspired by the poetry written by Bertolt Brecht during his time in America, as he struggled to make sense of a life left behind.

Welcome back the Takács Quartet as they unveil an intriguing new work wrapped in two masterpieces from the founding fathers of the string quartet.