Classical Classroom, Episode 38: Stringed Life – on being a quartet, with Enso String Quartet

The Grammy-nominated Enso String Quartet puts the "class" in this episode of Classical Classroom. We discuss where string quartets come from, why the instruments in a quartet go together so well, what sets Enso apart from other string quartets, and what it's like to play live (which apparently sometimes includes hitting yourself in the face and dancing to get away from bees).

Audio production by Todd "Todd Terrific" Hulslander with a few carefully-worded complaints from Dacia Clay.

Music in this episode includes:

– Franz Joseph Haydn, String Quartet in C Major, Op.76 No.3 Hob. III:77, "Emperor", Mvt. 1. Allegro & Mvt 2 Poco adagio, cantabile. Performed by the Kodaly Quartet (Naxos, 8.550314)

– Franz Schubert, Quartet No. 12 in C minor, "Quartett-Satz". Performed by Enso String Quartet (currently unreleased)

– Kurt Stallman, "Following Franz" (currently unreleased)

– Richard Strauss, Quartet in A Major, Op. 2: 1. Allegro (from the Enso Quartet website)

For more information about the Enso String Quartet: www.ensoquartet.com