Premiered 4th of August 2021 at the Salzburger Festspiele, Austria

‘Two string quartets of Mozart and Debussy provide the musical material for David Dramm (arranger/composer) to play with, and inspiring Thunnissen to provide the players with riveting and always humorous new constellations that need no words at all.‘ – Salzburger Nachrichten 5.8.2021 

 

‘Stage direction and stage design (by Caecilia Thunnissen and Morgana Machado Marques resp.) of this staged string quartet program are both top level. … An artistically baffling, highly enjoyable hour in the company of passionate artists, that was met with thunderous applause by the audience from all ages.’ – Volksblatt, 16.08.2021

 

‘The production schräg/strich, part of the youth program of the Festspiele, unlocks a wonderful world of association. And not just for the young audience.  They are presented with a very clear idea of what music is, in essence, all about: communication! There is also something to be gained for the accompanying adult, especially if he or she knows the repertoire. For what theatrical possibilities Mozart’s String quartet in D minor KV 421 and Debussy’s Quartet in G minor have to offer! … its execution is marvelously poetic.’ – Drehpunkt Kultur, 05.08.2021

Music

W.A. Mozart (1756-1791) – String quartet in d-minor, KV 421 C. A. Debussy (1862-1918) – String quartet in g-minor

According to the Oorkaan Method, the four voices of the string quartet are being interpreted as text of four “characters”. They interact, and while playing the music (by heart), a situation of four youngsters that meet each other on the first day of high school unfolds. Through different passages in the music, a development takes place in their individuality and relations. It ends with letting each other go, as if they have to say goodbye at the end of their high school. The musicians are thus addressing an existential question: how can you exist as an individual within a group, without losing yourself or causing friction?