Friends of Chamber Music welcome the Hagen Quartet

The Hagen Quartet has attained an unparalleled position among the finest ensembles of our time, having been declared “the pinnacle of musicality” (Die Presse). For over four decades, the Hagen has performed throughout the world and amassed a storied discography of nearly fifty recordings. Based in Salzburg, the Hagen Quartet recently celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2021. In addition to its stunning performances, the Quartet’s approach to the business of quartet-playing sets it apart: the Hagen’s focus is purely on the music it makes, which has been reflected in the group’s enormous success. Andrea Cunliffe from the Friends of Chamber Music spoke with violinist Rainer Schmidt as part of Friends' Performance in Context series. Here is some of that conversation ahead of the Quartet's performance in Albany on March 2.