The Pavel Haas Quartet is one of the world’s most acclaimed chamber ensembles, boasting numerous prestigious awards, including five  Awards From the prestigious Brittish magazine Gramophone for Recording of the Year. In April and May 2025, the quartet devoted itself intensively to the music of Bohuslav Martinů, recording their String Quartets No. 2, 3, 5, and 7 at the iconic Domovina Studio. The album will be released by the Supraphon label.

The ensemble’s first violinist, Veronika Jarůšková, offered a fitting explanation for their choice of repertoire:
“We’ve been working with Martinů’s quartets for the past six years. We’ve found ourselves immersed in a world of musical richness, influenced by so many directions—Baroque, neoclassicism, folk music, and even elements of jazz. And Martinů was able to combine all of this into one brilliant format. You could say it’s music of our time, often written at an incredibly fast pace that can feel almost chaotic. But as a whole, it’s a masterpiece.”

Cellist Peter Jarůšek adds:
“Each of Martinů’s quartets has a strong, unique character, and they differ significantly from one another. The recording will present a vibrant musical palette of works by a single composer. We’re truly looking forward to sharing it!”

The concert opens with the three-movement String Quartet Op. 8 by Vítězslava Kaprálová, composed during the summer of 1935, mostly in the village of Tři Studně—her favorite retreat in the nature of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. It was there, just a few years later, that she would spend summers with Bohuslav Martinů. The program continues with Martinů’s String Quartets Nos. 5, 3, and 7.

Where else could a new Martinů recording be christened than at the very festival that bears his name—and you can be there with us to celebrate it!

https://www.pavelhaasquartet.com/