Joseph Haydn is widely regarded as the father of this genre of chamber music in the layout of the sonata cycle set for four string instruments: two violins, viola and cello. The formula became freer over time (for example, Schönberg added a soprano part); Stockhausen took it a step further in his Helikopter-Streichquartett by having his musicians perform in four separate flying helicopters. Still, just as in the days of Viennese masters, the string quartet is seen as a timeless, classic formula and a gauge of compositional and performance finesse.
Capella Cracoviensis is stepping up to the challenge during four concerts in April, presenting compositions for string quartet by masters of the genre: from Haydn himself, Beethoven and Boccherini, via Romantic composers including Schubert (Death and the Maiden), Mendelssohn and Brahms, to more modern works by Szymanowski and Shostakovich. Enjoy the CC 4x4 cycle for four instruments on four consecutive April Thursdays. (Barbara Skowrońska)

5 April 2018, 7pm
Robert Bachara (violin I)
Tomasz Góra (violin II)
Teresa Wydrzyńska (viola)
Teresa Kamińska (cello)

J. Brahms String Quartet in C minor Op. 51 No. 1
F. Schubert String Quartet in D minor “Death and the Maiden”

12 April 2018, 7pm
Agnieszka Świątkowska (violin I)
Agnieszka Krawczyk (violin II)
Jacek Dumanowski (viola)
Agnieszka Oszańca (cello)

L. Boccherini String Quartet in F major Op. 26 G. 199
P. Vranický String Quartet in B flat major Op. 15 No. 3
L. Cherubini String Quartet No. 1 in E flat major

19 April 2018, 7pm
Maciej Czepielowski (violin I)
Jadwiga Czepielowska (violin II)
Aneta Dumanowska (viola)
Teresa Kamińska (cello)

L. van Beethoven String Quartet in D major Op. 18 No. 3
D. Shostakovich String Quartet in B flat major Op. 92 No. 5

26 April 2018, 7pm
Zofia Wojniakiewicz (violin I)
Beata Nawrocka (violin II)
Mariusz Grochowski (viola)
Konrad Górka (cello)

J. Haydn String Quartet in D minor Op. 76 No. 2 “Fifths”
K. Szymanowski String Quartet No. 2 Op. 56
F. Mendelssohn String Quartet in E flat major Op. 12 No. 1