A musical present.

What does a 16-year-old give his violin teacher for a birthday gift? In the autumn of 1825, Felix Mendelssohn gave a signed score. The young composer had written a piece for four violins, two violas, and two cellos, and with this, he made the octet a groundbreaking work in chamber music.

In Troldsalen, Saphir opens this matinée concert with the first movement of Debussy's only string quartet, and NOVO performs the entire String quartet no. 9 by Shostakovich. The two up-and-coming quartets then come together for Mendelssohn's octet.

The Norwegian Saphir Quartet has been praised for their joy of playing and enthusiasm for conveying music, and in 2024 they won the chamber music competition Fischoff in the US. The Danish NOVO Quartet has distinguished itself on international stages and in competitions.

"They had an understated confidence, a raw, youthful energy and the flexibility to play around with interpretation. Even visually (they were standing) they seemed to flow as one."

– THE STRAD about NOVO Quartet

Contributors

NOVO Quartet:

Kaya Kato Møller violin

Nikolai Vasili Nedergaard violin

Daniel Śledziński viola

Signe Ebstrup Bitsch cello

Saphir Quartet:

Amanda Noor Vatn violin

Philippe Jayer violin

Torje Råbu violin, viola

Iris Kalliovirta cello

Works

Claude Debussy (1862–1918)
String Quartet in G minor, op. 10
1. Animé et très décidé

Dmitrij Sjostakovitsj (1906–1975)
String Quartet No. 9 in E-flat major, op. 117
1. Moderato con moto
2. Adagio
3. Allegretto
4. Adagio
5. Allegro

Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847)
String Octet in E-flat major, op. 20
1. Allegro moderato con fuoco
2. Andante
3. Scherzo. Allegro leggierissimo
4. Presto

Supported by

The Savings Bank Foundation DNB