The New Zealand String Quartet began its 25th anniversary celebrations with two exclusive Festival performances in the stunning setting of St Mary of the Angels church.

In these concents, the audience were able to experience Beethoven through his string quartets – the medium in which he expressed some of his deepest and most profound musical thoughts and ideas.

In 2012 the New Zealand String Quartet toured the country, presenting Beethoven’s 16 string quartets in six concerts. Part one of this cycle, The Age of Enlightenment, consisted of two concerts of six string quartets that showed the influence of Haydn and Mozart. It truly was music of expressive power, elegance and beauty.

Concert 1 (25 February)

String Quartets, Opus 18 Nos. 3, 2 and 1

Concert 2 (26 February)

String Quartets, Opus 18 Nos. 4, 5 and 6