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The Pellegrini Quartet - founded in 1989 - is one of the few string quartets on the international concert scene seriously dedicated to both the classical-romantic repertoire and the music of the present day. By juxtaposing traditional and experimental works in their concert programmes the Pellegrini Quartet enables audiences to discover hidden historical and musical correspondences, thus giving new perspectives on even the most established works. The quartet's extensive and colourful repertoire stretches from instrumental movements of Heinrich Isaac to Michael von Biel's radical 2nd string quartet, with special emphasis on the music of the 20th century. It includes the complete string quartet oeuvres of Morton Feldman, John Cage and Giancinto Scelsi as well as key works such as Luigi Nono's string quartet "Fragmente - Stille, an Diotima". During the twenty years of its existence the Pellegrini Quartet has furthermore performed an impressing number of highly demanding compositions which are often known only by name - thus engaging in important pioneering work. They are one of the very few string quartets, too, that perform Morton Feldman's six-hours-long 2nd string quartet in concert. The Pellegrini Quartet's discography has grown quite extensive in recent times and comprises a number of first recordings. Several CDs have been entered into the "Auswahlliste des Deutschen Schallplattenpreises" - the prestigious German awards list for CDs - or have been honoured with other similar prizes. Their most recent CD, a complete recording of Joseph Haydn's quartets op. 20 (the so-called "Sun Quartets"), was released last year. Presently the quartet is working on a complete recording of the string quartets by Artur Schnabel. Having toured extensively a. o. in South America, Japan or Lebanon, the Pellegrini Quartet has also been much in demand as visitors at international festivals. Invitations have taken it to Musikfest Berlin, Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, Copenhagen Summer Festival, Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival (Finland) or Kyoto Chamber Music Festival (Japan). The quartet's performances are broadcast by all major radio stations in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Denmark. Since 2001 the Pellegrini Quartet has its own concert series in their home town Freiburg (Germany). The Pellegrini Quartet's keen interest in the next generation is reflected in the demand its members enjoy as chamber music teachers. They have posts at the Musikakademie Basel (Switzerland) and at the Musikhochschule Karlsruhe. |