The Belcea Quartet captivates listeners with its dark, seductive and sensuous sound. Founded in 1994, it is one of today’s leading string quartets. The secret of its success? “We continually rethink the works,” says second violinist Axel Schacher. During this programme the first work, which already demonstrates the absolute mastery of its composer, are combined with a late work: the first string quartet by Johannes Brahms contrasts with Dmitri Shostakovich’s opus 142, which already evokes dying and death.