Skip to main content

Vanguard

2 July 2024

In the Utzon Room

Classical Music

A powerful concert of music that radically extends the boundaries of the string quartet.

Revolutionaries who changed the future of music.

Beethoven's String Quartet in E-flat Major, Op.127, is the first of what are known as his late quartets. When premiered in 1825, this piece struck listeners with its innovation of expression and musical themes, which transcended its time, making it a revolutionary work in the history of the string quartet. Its exploration of human emotions and musical ideas continues to resonate with audiences across generations, solidifying its relevance to this day.

For his second commission for the Australian String Quartet, composer Harry Sdraulig will produce his first full-length work, having previously composed a shorter work, Swirl, for the ensemble in 2020. Expect rich lyricism and harmony, and intricate, driving rhythms.

Moravian-born American composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold's String Quartet No.2 in E-flat Major, written in 1933, showcases his mastery of Romanticism. Combining lush harmonies with intricate interweaving of musical voices, this quartet reveals his versatility as a composer beyond his acclaimed works for the screen. Traversing a rich tapestry of feelings, spanning longing to exuberance, it demonstrates Korngold’s position as one of the great post-Romantics.

Presented by The Australian String Quartet

Artists

Violin
Dale Barltrop

Violin
Francesca Hiew

Viola
Christopher Cartlidge

Cello
Michael Dahlenburg

Other information

You may also like

Stephen Hough performs Mendelssohn

4 – 7 Jun 2025

Sir Stephen Hough is one of the world’s great pianists, captivating audiences with his sublime artistry.

  • Classical Music
Stephen Hough wears a pinstripe shirt as his eyes are closed playing the piano in front of the violin section of an orchestra

ChorusOz: A Sea Symphony

8 Jun 2025

ChorusOz gathers under the sails of the Sydney Opera House to sing Vaughan Williams’ mighty Sea Symphony.

  • Classical Music
An image of a wave crashing against a rocky shore

Colour, Sound, Lore

31 Jul 2025

Celebrate the homecoming of one of Australia's finest orchestras! Join the Australian Youth Orchestra, William Barton and Christian Li, for a spellbinding evening of Mendelssohn, Rimsky-Korsakov and Sculthorpe.

  • Classical Music

Checking availability