Crypt Close-Up: Quartet XII: Schubert and Cage – At the Edge of Sound

Join Quartet XII – four dedicated members of the 12 Ensemble – for a programme that ventures to the extremes of musical sound and silence.

This is a deep dive into the art of the string quartet, contrasting two works that define the “Edge of Sound.”

The programme begins with John Cage’s FOUR, a piece that embraces luminous stillness and profound concentration. By focusing on sustained tones and long periods of silence, Cage invites the listener to experience the very texture of sound as it emerges and dissolves, pushing the limits of musical expectation.

This meditative experience is dramatically contrasted by Schubert’s very last string quartet. Written in his final years, the quartet is a mysterious work that represents the pinnacle of Romantic expression while probing the extremes of sound, texture, dynamic, and duration.

Experience the enduring power of the string quartet medium as Quartet XII navigates the vast landscape between these two profound and contrasting visions.