In the twenties of the previous century, Arnold Schoenberg founded the ‘Verein für musikalische Privataufführungen’ (Society for Private Musical Performances) with the help of his pupils Alban Berg and Anton Webern. Programming chiefly recent works that had been refused at the official concert venues, the society kept aloof from the mainstream conservative concert life. For want of a complete orchestra, many composers of the time wrote down‐sized versions of full‐fledged orchestral works.

The string players of Het Collectief open the new season at Cortewalle Castle with three masterpieces for violin and cello. Although the works by Ravel, Xenakis and Schulhoff were all composed in the twentieth century, they are strikingly contrasting, giving Wibert Aerts and Martijn Vink the opportunity to explore the full range of their expressive palette, from intimate poetry to fiery virtuosity.

Olivier Messiaen’s Quatuor pour la fin du temps has graced the calendar of Het Collectief without interruption since the very beginning. The haunting story of its creation, together with the originality and eloquence of the music, continues to stir audiences deeply.