Opus13 – May 2026
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Leeds Inspired

Opus13 – May 2026

26th May 2026

Opus13

Sonoko Miriam Welde – violin
Edvard Erdal – violin
Albin Uusijärvi – viola
Daniel Thorell – cello

Joseph Haydn – Quartet Op 74, No 1
Knut Vaage – Bumerang
Franz Schubert – Quartet No 14 (Death and the Maiden)

The bold opening chords of Joseph Haydn’s sparkling Quartet Op 74, No 1, brimming with graceful melodies, lively rhythms and moments of musical humour, launches Opus13’s inaugural Quartet in Residence concert off to a flying start. It’s music that’s easy to enjoy and full of clever surprises.

Knut Vaage’s Bumerang takes us to the ensemble’s home country of Norway. The music is restless and full of movement, with ideas that keep returning in new and unexpected ways. Vaage explores the unique sound world of string instruments, creating a sense of tension and excitement throughout.

The concert closes with Franz Schubert’s powerful Death and the Maiden. Dramatic and deeply moving, its driving rhythms and strong contrasts make for a thrilling and unforgettable ending.

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.