String Quartets

Fiery and rich performances that make these works seem newly-composed thanks to their impassioned use of historical performance practice. No doubt this quartet will set a new standard for playing (Haydn) on period instruments. This CD is enhanced with unique artwork by artist Sara Claes whose photography is inspired by lighting and colours of 18th century portraits. The EDDING Quartet was formed in 2007 on the initiative of violist Paul De Clerck and cellist Ageet Zweistra. They cherished a common dream of performing the classical string quartet repertory on historically-correct instruments and with their own open interpretative vision. Violinists Baptiste Lopez and Caroline Bayet enthusiastically associated themselves with the realisation of this dream. The Edding Quartet’s historical performance practice has its basis in baroque, classical and contemporary sources: Ageet Zweistra is a known figure in the world of early music, while Paul De Clerck is regarded as a renowned performer of contemporary repertoire; Baptiste Lopez and Caroline Bayet have both led ‘modern’ quartets but have also specialised in historical performance practice through the Formation Supérieure of the Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes, France. The four musicians also have a broad experience of solo work, chamber music and orchestral playing. All of these factors combine within the Edding Quartet to create an enormously rich vision of the Classical repertoire as well as a fresh and uncomplicated approach to it.