Time runs out for a top string quartet
mainThe highly regarded Auryn Quartet called it quits this morning.
The quartet, founded in 1981, will shut down in 2021, its 40th anniversary year.
The members are Andreas Arndt, Stewart Eaton, Mattthias Lingenfelder and Jens Oppermann.
I remember the Auryns for a brilliant set of first recordings of the four Berthold Goldschmidt quartets. Over time, they have recorded Haydn’s 68 in a boxed set.
Heard them play Feldman’s 2nd quartet in Edinburgh in 2003 (with Webern’s bagatelles as an aperitif, as if the five hours of Feldman weren’t going to be enough!). An extraordinary evening that is firmly etched in the memory…
Enjoy the well-earned retirement, chaps.
This is a wonderful quartet – players as well as humans. I taught public school for one year in Oregon – I was the District Orchestra Director, with 7 orchestras to conduct (age 7 to 18). When the Auryn came to town to perform in the Chamber Music Series, I asked them to come and play and teach my high school orchestra. Not only did they take the time to come, they played for us, and coached our orchestra with grace, detail and a supportive attitude. Not many groups would sacrifice those hours on the day of a concert. Thank you, Auryn!