Colmar International Festival: Slavonic Passions: Smetana, Hába, Dvorák  

QUATUOR HÀBA The Hába Quartet invites us on a marvellous journey through the thousand and one facets of Czech music, a group that is rare in France but highly acclaimed across the Rhine! Dvorák's celebrated American Quartet has now established itself as one of the pillars of the repertoire: it takes its name from the fact that the composer wrote it during his stay in the United States, brilliantly blending Central European influences with North American novelties. Just a little earlier, Smetana's First Quartet, with its highly autobiographical character, its lyrical outbursts, its blows of fate and its call for national revival, is one of the founding monuments of Czech chamber music. As for Alois Hába's astonishing Quartet No. 15, from which our ensemble takes its name, it will surprise you with its lightning speed and rare harmonies. PROGRAM B. Smetana, Quartet No.1, in E minor, "from my life" A. Hába, Quartet No. 15, op. 95 A. Dvorák, String Quartet No. 12, in F major, op. 96 "American"