Opus13
Sonoko Miriam Welde - violin
Edvard Erdal - violin
Albin Uusijärvi - viola
Daniel Thorell - cello
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Quartet No 19 (Dissonance)
Britta Byström Images from the Floating World
Edvard Grieg Quartet No 1, Op 27
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Dissonance Quartet begins with a slow, mysterious introduction that sounds unexpectedly strange, before bursting into bright, joyful music. Graceful melodies, playful rhythms and moments of drama make this one of Mozart’s most fascinating and rewarding quartets.
Images from the Floating World by Swedish composer Britta Byström brings a more modern sound world into play. Inspired by an Icelandic saga, the six short movements are full of atmosphere, shifting moods and strong character, creating music that feels vivid and cinematic.
The programme ends with Edvard Grieg’s passionate String Quartet No 1, Op 27. Rich in melody and energy, it reflects the Nordic musical world close to Opus13’s home and delivers a powerful and exciting conclusion.
We’re thrilled to welcome Opus13 as our new Quartet in Residence. Thanks to our continuing partnership with Wigmore Hall, every three years we bring a world-class string quartet to Leeds for nine exciting performances.
First Prize winners at both the Wigmore Hall String Quartet Competition and the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition in spring 2025, Opus13 is rapidly building a reputation on the international chamber music scene. Named after Felix Mendelssohn’s youthful and passionate A Minor Quartet, Op 13 – the first piece the ensemble ever played together – the quartet was formed in Oslo in 2014. Now based in both Oslo and Stockholm, Opus13 comprises Norwegian violinists Sonoko Miriam Welde and Edvard Erdal, plus violist Albin Uusijärvi and cellist Daniel Thorell, both from Sweden.
In addition to performing standard string quartet repertoire by composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bela Bartók, and Franz Schubert, Opus13 is a passionate ambassador of Nordic classical and contemporary music, frequently performing works by Edvard Grieg, Wilhelm Stenhammar, Andrea Tarrodi, Britta Byström, and Sebastian Fagerlund.
