Arete Quartet Bartók String Quartet Complete Performance 1

[PERFORMANCE INTRODUCTION] Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 7:30 PM IBK Corporate Bank Chamber Hall, Seoul Arts Center Arete Quartet: Complete Bartók String Quartets Volume 1 - Art Silvia Winners Series Complete Performance of Bartók String Quartets - The Pinnacle of 20th Century Chamber Music The most intense and passionate steps of the 'Arete Quartet,' which has captivated the world stage Following their victory at the 2024 Art Silvia Chamber Music Audition and the remarkable achievement of becoming the first Korean ensemble to advance to the finals and win second prize at the 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition, the Arete Quartet now stands at the center of the global chamber music world. They take on the challenge of performing the complete Bartók String Quartets. Having continuously explored the complete string quartet series of various composers such as Mendelssohn and Schumann with profound depth, the Arete Quartet demonstrates their uniquely evolved artistry and refined interpretation through this performance. This marks a new musical milestone as they establish themselves in Korea's chamber music scene, having consistently delivered exceptional performances by cultivating the essence of music (Arete). In this concert, all six string quartets by Béla Bartók—regarded as the greatest masterpiece in string quartet history since Beethoven—will be performed over two days. This complete series, spanning Bartók's entire lifetime, captures the composer's distinctive folk-inspired colors, rigorous formal experimentation, and raw, profound inner confession. This opening concert of the series brings together String Quartets Nos. 1, 3, and 5, representing Bartók's early, middle, and late periods, offering a focused examination of his multifaceted musical evolution. The Arete Quartet unveils the essence of Bartók's music, encompassing everything from early romantic lyricism to modern innovation, inviting audiences on his passionate artistic journey. [PROGRAM] Béla Bartók (1881–1945) String Quartet No. 1 BB 52, Op. 7, Sz. 40 String Quartet No. 3 BB 93, Sz. 85 String Quartet No. 5 BB 110, Sz. 102