At the Nieuwe Kerk , chamber music Nieuwe Kerk particularly intimate during Close Up: you’re seated all around the musicians, the sound is warm and immediate, and every nuance counts. This edition features three gems for strings, performed by a selection of our ensemble. From Haydn’s beloved String Quartet ( “The Joke”) to Martin’s tranquil miniature and the rich, Bohemian lyricism of Dvořák’s String Sextet: an evening that showcases the versatility of string players.

The program unfolds from quartet to sextet, allowing the colors of the string ensemble to grow ever richer. Haydn opens playfully, with his famous closing joke that has been misleading audiences for centuries. Frank Martin’s Pavane couleur du temps is a controlled gem: gently pulsating, intimate, and clear in tone. Dvořák’s String Sextet concludes with a warm-blooded mix of dance rhythms, melancholy, and melodic richness. An evening where craftsmanship and imagination come together.