The highly revered Signum Quartet will be making their South African debut at the Woordfees in 2018.

Natural musical and programmatic connections are key when putting together a programme, says Xandi van Dijk, the group’s viola player. “We also love programming contemporary works for which we have an affinity and a passion, and hope our audiences trust our judgment in this regard.”

He says the Quartet strives for a unity of sound and expression. “As a group, our interpretations are hugely energetic, passionate and uncompromising.”

Xandi, South African born, has been part of the Signum Quartet for the past ten years. He says the reason for their success and popularity is plain old hard work. “And then some more! Topped off with a bit of good luck and being at the right place at the right time.”

Concertgoers can look forward to a programme rich in variety. “From the most delicate, personal utterances (Schubert) through to the overtly manic and theatrical (Widmann).”

They will also be performing a composition by Xandi’s father, Péter Louis van Dijk, in celebration of his 65th birthday. ‘Iinyembezi’ (‘tears’ in Xhosa) was inspired by John Dowland’s ‘Flow my Tears’. “It is a piece with which I identify strongly, and it is always an experience to play and to hear. Based on Dowland’s Lachrimae Antiquae (which we will also be performing), it is an elegiac piece, but also with energetic, manic outbursts.” Xandi performed the premiere of the piece in 2000 in Amsterdam, when he was part of the UCT Quartet. In the five years he was part of the Sontonga Quartet, they also performed it on many occasions. “We have also played it all over the world with Signum in the last season.”

The programme includes the South African premiere of Jörg Widmann’s 3rd Quartet, Jagdquartett, a piece of true theatrics.