Début is a very diverse program. It is the first steps of four great masters of the string quartet repertoire. The father of the genre (Haydn) and quintessential classical string quartet composer. The " best" string quartet composer, who took the genre from the classical era to the romantic era, and went farther than any other romantic composer in his late quartets (Beethoven). And the two most important string quartet composers of the 20th century who's quartets are like a diary of their musical lives (Bartok and Shostakovich).

Joseph Stalin ruled the Soviet Union from 1929 until his death in 1953 with brutal force. Shostakovich responded to this terror in a very personal manner through his chamber music.

Trio Khaldei and BiSS Quartet will join forces to bring you an overview of some of Shostakovich's most important chamber works. This unique collaboration came about, because BiSS Quartet and Trio Khaldei share two members (Pieter and Francis). It creates a much closer connection between pianist (Barbara Baltussen) and string quartet (BiSS).

Roots brings our different multicultural backgrounds together into one unique program. It starts with our common root as string quartet players, with a piece by the father of string quartets, Joseph Haydn. Pieter, our first violinist is represented by one of the most talented composers to come out of Belgium, Guillaume Lekeu. The molto adagio is a heartbreaking piece and also one of Pieters all time favorite pieces of music. On this program, we will also play the first string quartet of Dan Janssens, one of the most sought after Belgian composers of today. This represents the fact that BiSS Quartet started its journey in Belgium. It is an extremely fascinating piece, and also very important to us to program music of living composers. Jessica, our second violinist, will be represented by Two pieces for String Quartet by the American composer, Aaron Copland. This is the only piece of music Copland ever wrote for string quartet. And finally, the pièce de resistance of the program, representing our violist, Maxime and cellist, Francis is none other than String Quartet by the French composer, Maurice Ravel.