Discover Taurus Quartet

Our history

Taurus Quartet is a new Belgian string quartet, which was founded in May 2012. The quartet consists of four experienced musicians who each have an established reputation in the chamber music world. 
The love for the quartet repertoire, the joy of digging deep into these masterpieces together and the search for harmony, electricity and a unique sound in their quartet playing, are the driving forces behind the Taurus Quartet.

A sensational debut concert!”   (Musiq3)

“…emotionally overwhelming…”  (La Libre)

“…the astounding Taurus…”  (Concertgebouw Bruges)

After one year of intensive rehearsing and giving private performances, Taurus Quartet made its debut in June ’13, with a concert of both Janáček quartets at Festival Musiq3 in Flagey, Brussels. Both these performances were broadcast live on Belgian radio and received critical acclaim.  
Their following concerts in the Festival de Wallonie Stavelot were also broadcast for radio in 24 European countries. 
In its first season, the quartet presented itself with a wide range of diverse and challenging programmes and performed at the Festival of Flanders (Gent, Antwerp, Brussels) and Festival de Saintes (Radio France) as well as giving many other concerts elsewhere.
In the 2014-2015 season, the Taurus Quartet performed at Bozar (Brussels), Concertgebouw (Bruges), Handelsbeurs (Gent), de Singel (Antwerp), Flagey (Brussels) and at many other major concert halls and festivals in Belgium as well as at festivals in Holland, France and Ireland.
Supported by the Singel (Antwerp), the quartet worked together with Antje Weithaas and the Artis Quartett Wien.
In 2014, Taurus Quartet performed together with the French actor Gérard Dépardieu the piece ‘Harmonies de Soir’ by Ysaye, based on a poem by Baudelaire. This performance for solo-quartet and string orchestra under the direction of American conductor Toby Hoffman was broadcast live on radio and television.
The Taurus Quartet loves to dig into the masterpieces from the great classical and romantic repertoire, the quartets of Beethoven, Schumann, Schubert, Mozart, Haydn, Janacek and others, but also to discover the lesser known works of example Enescu, Verdi, Respighi, Goeyvaerts, Martinu and Ciurlionis. A great personal affinity with the proposed repertoire and the desire to play these works are the main starting point. Obviously, the quartet is open to adapt programmes to themes or to specific wishes from organizers.

Name

The name of the quartet was inspired by the intriguing description of the constellation Taurus, written by Stockhausen in his composition Tierkreis (Zodiac):

“Taurus  bull,
Earthy heavy, feminine through Venus forming
Unconscious sensual,
Property holding,
Enjoyment
And patient love

Taurus bull
Middle of spring
Fashioning colours, shapes,
Painting, architecture and music,
Unbendingly
Keeping
The beauty.”

Musicians

2012
2013
2014
2015
2012
In 2012 the Taurus Quartet is founded by Wietse Beels, Wibert Aerts, Vincent Hepp and Martijn Vink.
2013

After one year of intensive rehearsing and giving private performances, Taurus Quartet made its debut in June ’13, with a concert of both Janáček quartets at Festival Musiq3 in Flagey, Brussels. Both these performances were broadcast live on Belgian radio and received critical acclaim.
Their following concerts in the Festival de Wallonie Stavelot were also broadcast for radio in 24 European countries.

In its first season, the quartet presented itself with a wide range of diverse and challenging programmes and performed at the Festival of Flanders (Gent, Antwerp, Brussels) among others.

2014

Concerts in Festival der Voorkempen
Festival Musiq3
Festival Midi-Minimes
Festival de Saintes (FR)
Festival of Flanders
de Handelsbeurs (Gent)
de Toonzaal (‘s Hertogenbosch, NL)
Het Concertgebouw (Bruges)
Middagconcerten Luik & Brussel
Flagey: concert together with Gérard Dépardieu (television and radio), a.o.

2015

Middagconcerten Brussel
Festival Voces Intimae
CC Leuven, Bozar (Brussels)
C-mine (Genk)
Maison de Poësie (Namur)
Palais de Beaux-Arts (Charleroi)
Middagconcerten Luik
CC Grimbergen
De Academiezaal (St.Truiden),…e.a

Liesbeth Baelus joins Taurus Quartet.

Would you like to hear us in concert?

Have a look at our agenda