Pavel Haas, Hagen Quartets Clash in Seoul with Same Repertoire

A Unique Musical Encounter in Seoul

The Czech-origin Pavel Haas Quartet, a world-renowned chamber music group in its 24th year since its founding, recently completed their morning practice as usual in the capital, Prague, on the 24th. The four members sat side by side in front of an iPad for a video interview with this newspaper. Their chamber music recordings have received acclaim, being selected as the Recording of the Year by the British classical music magazine Gramophone. Following last year’s performance at the Incheon Art Center, they will hold another concert in Seoul at the Seoul Arts Center on November 11 of this year.

However, there is an interesting coincidence. The Hagen Quartet, an Austrian chamber music powerhouse with a 45-year history, is also set to perform in Korea at the Lotte Concert Hall on November 9. The two quartets’ concerts, held just two days apart, will feature the same repertoire. Both groups are scheduled to perform Beethoven (1770–1827), the saint of music,’s final quartet, String Quartet No. 16, and Schubert (1797–1828)’s Death and the Maiden. This sets the stage for a clash of titans between the two chamber music powerhouses in Seoul. When informed of this, the Pavel Haas Quartet also broke into a surprised smile.

There must be a reason why they are performing these chamber music masterpieces by Beethoven and Schubert on the same stage. The Pavel Haas Quartet explained, “These two pieces were both created in the same period (the 1820s) in the same city (Vienna, Austria).” Beethoven composed String Quartet No. 16 in 1826, just five months before his death. Schubert’s Death and the Maiden was completed in 1824 but premiered two years later in 1826. They stated, “Beethoven and Schubert were both giants of classical music who lived during the same period.”

The same question was posed to the Hagen Quartet. Rainer Schmidt, the second violinist, explained in a written interview, “The works of Beethoven, Schubert, and others were all born in Vienna. At the time, Vienna was a melting pot of diverse cultures and artistic experiments that had long infused the city with vitality.” Their reasons for selecting the repertoire were strikingly similar.

The Hagen Quartet, founded in 1981, and the Pavel Haas Quartet, formed in 2002, are chamber music seniors and juniors with a 20-year gap. As such, they have no shortage of connections. Marek Živí-Bjeletic, the second violinist of the Pavel Haas Quartet, said, “Before joining the team, I once received chamber music lessons from Schmidt of the Hagen Quartet. That’s why he feels like a teacher to me.” Coincidentally, the piece he learned at the time was also Death and the Maiden.

A Legacy of Excellence

The Hagen Quartet was formed by siblings from Salzburg, Austria. The Pavel Haas Quartet takes its name from Pavel Haas (1899–1944), a Czech-Jewish composer who died at the Auschwitz concentration camp under the Nazi regime. The Hagen Quartet, which announced their retirement next year, is currently on a world tour. This will effectively be the last chance to see them. Schmidt of the Hagen Quartet said, “It’s true that it’s hard to accept the idea of continuing individual activities without rehearsing with colleagues, touring, or performing together anymore. It’s still difficult to imagine what that void will feel like.”

When asked about the secret to a chamber group’s longevity, the junior Pavel Haas Quartet replied, “It’s about not forgetting the idea of teamwork—putting oneself aside for a moment and moving in the same direction.” This philosophy has clearly contributed to their success and enduring reputation in the world of classical music.

A Cultural and Artistic Dialogue

The upcoming performances in Seoul offer more than just a musical event; they represent a cultural and artistic dialogue between two legendary ensembles. Each quartet brings its own unique interpretation of the works, shaped by their distinct histories and experiences. The Pavel Haas Quartet, with its roots in the Czech Republic, carries the legacy of a composer whose life was cut short by tragedy, while the Hagen Quartet, with its long-standing tradition, embodies the spirit of Vienna's rich musical heritage.

As audiences gather to witness these performances, they will have the rare opportunity to compare and contrast the interpretations of two of the most respected chamber music groups in the world. Whether it is the emotional depth of Death and the Maiden or the intricate complexity of String Quartet No. 16, each performance promises to be a testament to the enduring power of Beethoven and Schubert's music.

This convergence of talent and history in Seoul is a celebration of classical music's timeless appeal and its ability to connect people across generations and borders.