Josef Suk

This deeply contemplative and soul-searching piece from late Romantic Czech composer Suk begins with the mellow and melancholic sound of the viola, later accompanied by the violin. The rest of the quartet comes to shroud the viola and takes turns in iterating elements of the theme. Suk's exploration of textures, dynamics and expression takes us on a spiritual journey that is unique to the Romantic repertoire.

An unnerving dialogue of chilling strings comes from Romantic Czech composer, Josef Suk. The complexity and avant-garde flavour, which sparked protests from the first audience of 1912 in Berlin, combine to give a sense of the ominous. We almost hear cries from the depths exchanged between the instruments in the opening before all strings come together for a brief moment, only for the unity to break yet again to convey trepidation.