Microtonal Music Studios presents: Microtonal String Quartet by Aaro Tulkki (violin), Nikoloz Japaridze (violin), Julie Svačinová (viola) and Alli Mankkinen (cello).

They will perform Marc Sabat’s “Jean-Philippe Rameau” (2012) and Joseph Haydn’s “String quartet in C Major Op. 20 No.1.”

Concert on 04.05.2025 at 20:00

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Marc Sabat (1965)

Marc Sabat is a Canadian composer based in Berlin. His work explores perception, psychoacoustics, intonation, and the relationship between music and natural phenomena. He is known for his compositions in just intonation and his collaborations with artists across various disciplines. Sabat has taught extensively and his music has been performed internationally.

“Jean-Philippe Rameau” (2012).
This piece offers a serene and levitating atmosphere. Originally composed ”for any three sustained instruments”, it has been eloquently adapted for string quartet under the supervision of Marc Sabat himself. Within it, a constant juxtaposed cycle creates a sense in which the audience finds comfort in the unattainable. Named after the baroque composer Jean-Philippe Rameau, the connection between the two is palpable in the way the piece’s narrative unfolds through layered double stops that resolve into beautiful chords. Throughout, one encounters the rich nuances of consonant and dissonant dilemmas within just intonation, a concept Rameau wrestled with in his 1737 writings.

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

Joseph Haydn, the “Father of the Symphony” and “Father of the String Quartet,” was a leading composer of the Classical era. His long tenure with the Esterházy family fostered immense creativity, resulting in a vast and influential body of work. His innovative approach to form and melody profoundly impacted Western music.

Haydn’s String Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 20, No. 1

Haydn’s Op. 20 quartets (1772) are a landmark. The E-flat Major quartet showcases sophisticated interplay between instruments in the Allegro moderato. The Adagio offers lyrical beauty. The Menuetto is elegant with a charming Trio. The Presto finale is energetic and brilliant. This quartet exemplifies Haydn’s pivotal role in developing the genre. The Microtonal String Quartet will do a microtonal rendition by exploring just intonation as a tool of microtonality within Haydn’s work.