Takács Quartet & Angie Milliken

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Sonnet of an Emigrant

The undimmed brilliance of the Takács Quartet shines through masterpieces by Beethoven and Haydn framing a new commission from Australian composer Cathy Milliken, inspired by Bertholt Brecht’s ‘Sonnet of an Emigrant’ and narrated by Angie Milliken. Expect music to console, to inspire and to make sense of an ever-shifting world.

The string quartets of Haydn and Beethoven are at the heart of the chamber music repertoire, works to which we return time and again, because they are, quite simply, timeless. Haydn’s ‘Rider’ Quartet, written by a master at the peak of his powers, and Beethoven’s third ‘Razumovsky’ Quartet have been a solace to generations of musicians forced to leave their homes in times of war, including many of the founding members of Musica Viva Australia.

But, over time, everything changes.

No one knows this better than the Takács Quartet. Formed in 1975 by four students of the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, this much-loved ensemble has remade itself artistically, geographically and personally across five decades on the classical stage. Now, in its 50th year, the Quartet returns to Australia with undimmed brilliance to present a major new work for string quartet and spoken voice. Created by Australian composer Cathy Milliken, in collaboration with the Quartet and actor Angie Milliken, this work is inspired by the poetry written by Bertolt Brecht during his time in America, as he struggled to make sense of a life left behind.

Welcome back the Takács Quartet as they unveil an intriguing new work wrapped in two masterpieces from the founding fathers of the string quartet.

"'You will not hear better string quartet playing anywhere in the world today. The technical perfection can almost be taken for granted, but there is also the warmth and affection of the performances, and the insight into the visionary slow movements.'"

— BBC Music Magazine

TAKÁCS QUARTET
EDWARD DUSINBERRE violin
HARUMI RHODES violin
RICHARD O’NEILL viola
ANDRÁS FEJÉR cello
ANGIE MILLIKEN narrator

HAYDN String Quartet in G minor, Op. 74 No. 3 ‘The Rider’
CATHY MILLIKEN Sonnets of an Emigrant
BEETHOVEN String Quartet in C major, Op. 59 No. 3 ‘Razumovsky'

CATHY MILLIKEN

Born in Brisbane and based in Berlin, Cathy Milliken is an international award-winning performer and composer known for her evocative instrumental and vocal works. The diversity and relevance of her output has won her international recognition as a leading composer, creative director, educational consultant and performer. A founding member of Ensemble Modern, she worked extensively with artists such as György Ligeti, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Pierre Boulez, Fred Frith, and Frank Zappa. Milliken has composed for concert, opera, radio and film. Commissioners include Southbank Centre London, Donaueschinger Musiktage, Staatsoper Berlin and Musica Viva of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. International participatory compositions include Umculo Festival (South Africa), Future Labo (Japan), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and Munich Biennale. Awards include the Prix Italia, the Australian Art Music Award and the coveted Australia Council Fellowship, and from 2018 to 2020 she was Associate Composer of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.