Quatuor Hermès

The string quartet genre accompanied Beethoven throughout his life, so it is only natural that Beethoven, in turn, should accompany the entire life of the quartets. From our formation in 2008 and our first steps in Opus 18, to the present day and our special exchanges with Alfred Brendel on the latest opuses, our work on this composer has set the rhythm of our musical life like no other. It therefore seemed essential to us, as we prepare to celebrate the 200th anniversary of such a fundamental legacy in 2027, to embark on the adventure of performing the complete cycle of quartets in concert. Even if, in our opinion, their simple beauty alone would justify this complete cycle, we are also convinced that the incredible stylistic and emotional journey of such a cycle deserves a special place in the musical landscape. As our ensemble approaches twenty years of existence, it is time for us to link these sixteen opuses together and to delve into the heart of Beethoven's genius.