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Hailed by The New York Times for “making the most traditional of works feel radical once more,” the Takács Quartet returns to Aspen for two performances, the first featuring pianist Stephen Hough as both composer and performer.

The program begins with Haydn’s imitation of the rising sun in an ascending theme for the violin. Here is the composer at the top of his string quartet game, with the entire opus 76 “six pack” showing a new level of virtuosity and innovation. Stephen Hough dedicated his first quartet to the Takács as a companion piece to Ravel’s quartet and Dutilleux’s Ainsi la nuit. The form is one of six “meetings,” imaginary encounters in 1920s Paris with the composers known as Les Six. You’ll hear witty allusions to their styles in vignettes which travel from boulevard to park to hotel to theatre. Completed in only seven weeks, Dvořák’s Piano Quintet in A major is one of the most treasured works in the entire chamber music repertoire. Full of exquisite melodies, Czech dance rhythms, and seamless mood shifts, the quintet is a favorite for both performers and audience members.

Hear the Grammy-winning Takács Quartet joined by pianist and polymath Stephen Hough.