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Four men in black suit holding violins and a cello.

Utzon Music 2023 Quatuor Van Kuijk Mozart, Debussy and Mendelssohn

7 May 2023

In the Utzon Room

Classical Music

This acclaimed Parisian string quartet makes a highly anticipated Sydney debut with Mozart, Mendelssohn and Debussy – music showcasing their youthful energy and joyous music-making.

Style, energy…and, above all, a sense of risk… These four young Frenchman made the music smile…

The Guardian

Music that smiles, music with heart

It can take years for a string quartet to shape a distinctive musical personality, but in less than a decade the Quatuor Van Kuijk has won accolades worldwide and praise for their animated and spontaneous performances. In 2015 they won the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition with a stylish and energetic interpretation of Beethoven that “made the music smile”.

And now these four young Frenchman are finally coming to Sydney with music that will make you smile. Mozart’s “Hunt” Quartet unites classical good humour with inspired melody and a kind of alfresco vitality. Debussy’s Petite Suite is all effervescent charm.

Mendelssohn’s final string quartet, written following the death of his beloved sister, brings a tempestuous, despairing restlessness to the program. But even in the depth of personal anguish, the eloquent poetry of Mendelssohn’s style shines through.  

Sydney Opera House Presents

Quatuor Van Kuijk performing Debussy in the Utzon Room. What a precious moment that will be. This is the long-awaited Sydney debut of this dazzling quartet and will be best paired with water views and a complimentary glass of bubbles in hand.

Casey Green, Utzon Music Curator

Artist Information

Artists

Quatuor Van Kuijk

Violin
Nicolas Van Kuijk 

Violin
Sylvain Favre-Bulle 

Viola
Emmanuel François 

Cello
Anthony Kondo 

PROGRAM

MOZART 
String Quartet No.17 (Hunt)

DEBUSSY arr. Martelli 
Petite Suite

MENDELSSOHN 
String Quartet No.6

 

Other information

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