The season ends with Quatuor Arod, the CMH Emerging Young Ensemble of 26/27, performing one of Beethoven’s early quartets revealing his admiration of Haydn’s and Mozart’s quartet traditions. He opts for greater emotional turbulence and contrast, unlike most typical Classical quartets. Part of Bartók’s celebrated cycle of six quartets, his Quartet #4 (often compared in importance to Beethoven’s) reflects his research into Eastern European folk music and is one of the most innovative works of the 20th century. We come full circle with a late Beethoven quartet which alternates between mystical introspection and vigorous energy. Written after Beethoven recovered from serious illness, his inclusion of Lydian-mode harmony gives the music an archaic spiritual character. In fact, this late-period style influenced another experimentally creative composer — Béla Bartók.