![\"ASQ-05-Tour2-Beethoven](\"https:\/\/soundslikesydney.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/ASQ-05-Tour2-Beethoven-Burger-Steve-portrait_high_res-170x240.jpg\")
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The Australian String Quartet returns to Sydney with Beethoven Widmann Beethoven<\/em>,\u00a0a concert crossing artistic disciplines and time, in an immersive musical experience with direction by Australian theatre-maker Andy Packer.<\/p>\n The ASQ bookends its program with two of Beethoven\u2019s great quartets, his final quartet, the String Quartet in F major op 135<\/em>\u00a0and the very first quartet written by the wunderkind the String Quartet in D major op 18 no 3.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Between these two transformative pieces is the work of living compatriot, J\u00f6rg Widmann, whose String Quartet no 3, Hunt<\/em> Quartet<\/em> channels the spirit of Beethoven the innovator. Widmann\u2019s is a work of mischievous iconoclasm; a deeply engaging visceral piece.<\/p>\n The ASQ continues to broaden its vision and make live music experiences more accessible, memorable and monumental. For this concert, the ASQ has engaged award-winning theatre director Andy Packer, best known for his work as director of renowned Slingsby Theatre Company, to bring the stage to life using visual and programmatic direction.<\/p>\n \u201cBeethoven … explored ever more sophisticated ways to draw his audience into the music worlds he was constructing. Likewise, Widmann presents us with a provocatively dramatic composition. Through our presentation of this program we aim to honour these composers\u2019 instincts for inviting the listener, the audience to be drawn into the world of the music, with a light touch, to illuminate the music, not to stand in its way,\u201d says Andy Packer.<\/p>\n The ASQ is based at the University of Adelaide, Elder Conservatorium of Music and engages audiences in Australia and overseas in an outstanding program of performances, workshops, commissions and education projects. The Quartet\u2019s distinct sound is created by a matched set of 18th century Guadagnini instruments, handcrafted by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini between c.1743 and 1784 in Turin and Piacenza, Italy. These precious instruments are on loan for the ASQ\u2019s exclusive use through the generosity of UKARIA.<\/p>\n Dale Barltrop plays a 1784 Guadagnini Violin, Turin; Francesca Hiew plays a 1748-49 Guadagnini Violin, Piacenza; Stephen King plays a 1783 Guadagnini Viola, Turin; Sharon Grigoryan plays a c.1743 Guadagnini Violoncello, Piacenza, ‘Ngeringa’<\/p>\n