What Makes It Great? with Rob Kapilow

The Genius of Haydn

Haydn’s final string quartets, making up his Opus 76, feature some of the most innovative and memorable writing of the composer’s career. 

In this What Makes It Great? performance, Celebrity Series favorite Rob Kapilow unpacks the first of these quartets, the “Jack-in-the-Box” quartet. He reveals how Haydn playfully subverted the expectations of his contemporaries—from bold departures from convention in the opening movement to the whimsical outburst in the finale that inspired its nickname. 

Joining Kapilow is the renowned Balourdet Quartet, fresh off major career milestones, including a 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant and debut appearances at Carnegie and Wigmore halls. The Boston Musical Intelligencer praised their “absolute musical perfection… full, robust sound… impeccable balance.” 

The evening unfolds in two parts: first, the Quartet joins Kapilow on stage to illustrate key musical moments from the piece. After intermission, they perform the work in its entirety before the event closes with audience questions.

This performance is generously supported by
Amy & Joshua Boger.