The Festetics Quartet is a distinguished chamber ensemble recognized for their authentic interpretation of classical and early romantic repertoire, performed on period instruments. The group, named after the Hungarian noble Festetics family—who were significant patrons of the arts in the 18th century—carries forward a commitment to historical performance practice coupled with a deep exploration of lesser-known composers and works alongside the acclaimed masterpieces of the quartet literature.

Their discography presents a range of European composers, showcasing their versatility and dedication to expanding the understanding of classical music heritage. In their recent releases, they have tackled the expansive Mozart: Piano Quartets and dived into the rich emotional depths of Schubert's String Quintet in C Major, Op. 163, D. 956. Their recordings of lesser-known composers such as Bengraf and Spech display their commendable effort to bring attention to composers who have been overshadowed by the giants of classical music. The Festetics Quartet's approach is particularly noted in their comprehensive interpretation of Haydn's String Quartets, both in the bold early Op. 9 works and throughout the complete quartets performed on period-specific instruments. Their dedication to authenticity and passion for uncovering the roots of chamber music make them a cherished ensemble among classical connoisseurs.

Genres

Historically Informed Performance

Latest Release

Mozart: Piano Quartets

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart•

Paul Badura-Skoda•

Festetics Quartet

Ep - 6 Tracks - Released April 28, 2017