ECHO Rising Stars: Sonoro Quartet

The Devil’s Dream, a haunting piece by contemporary Irish composer Seán Doherty, draws us into this unique programme. The Sonoro Quartet’s native Belgium is represented by a new commission from one of Belgium’s leading composers, Annelies van Parys, inspired by the call of the Japanese Cicadas, and by a passionate outpouring from the short-lived but brilliant Lekeu. The concert culminates in Shostakovich’s String Quartet No 8 – written in just three days in the bombed ruins of Dresden, and dedicated to all victims of war.

The Sonoro Quartet has swiftly established itself as one of today’s most sought-after young string quartets. Alongside the great quartet repertoire, the group champions new works by exciting composers such as Doherty – whose music is described by The Irish Times as ‘unfailingly gripping’.