This Tuesday (Jan. 18) at the University of Washington's Meany Hall the Philharmonic Quartet of Berlin makes its Seattle debut in a program of Shostakovich (his 13th string quartet), Beethoven (opus 59, no. 2), and Debussy.
Formed from the string section leaders of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, this quartet is likely to offer playing of very high refinement and interpretations of great depth. Anyone who follows the Berlin Philharmonic through the internet on its remarkable Digital Concert Hall will know the outstanding technical and musical standards to which it works and will be able to recognise the players who make up the quartet.
Seattle is unlikely to hear better string quartet playing this year. Tickets ($36) available at Meany Hall's website.