Chaos String Quartet: A Musical, Artistic, and Inspirational Experience of the Merita Project
Stories | May 27, 2025
Formed in 2019, the Chaos String Quartet originated when violinist Susanne Schäffer and violist Sara Marzadori embarked to look for other musicians. Along the way, they met Eszter Kruchió (violin) and Bas Jongen (cello), and subsequently, all four of them agreed to start a quartet. Their name Chaos itself was derived from a philosophical concept – chaos and logos equal pathos – meaning creative energy where their music is from.
Why is the Chaos String Quartet so excellent? The members themselves believe that the strength of a quartet lies in the union of four separate personalities. Their character lies in being receptive, collaborative, and inventive. Instead of sticking to one genre, they use a broad repertoire ranging from contemporary pieces to jazz and Monteverdi, always attempting to discover new channels through which to interpret classical music.
The Merita Experience: A Fusion of Arts
The quartet encountered the Merita Project at Le Dimore del Quartetto and were instantly intrigued by the concept of the project to bring music together with other art. Their own project, Alban Berg’s Lyric Suite, is a composition rich in historical, literary, and artistic layers. Exploring its hidden dedication to Hanna Fuchs and its very emotive narrative, the quartet sought to bring this piece to life through a multidisciplinary approach.
Their trip to Athens was transformed into a creativity workshop, where they collaborated with dancers, actors, and painters. They were inspired by Vienna’s Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art) movement and wanted to produce an interlocking performance experience involving music, dance, and painting. Interdisciplinarity not only enriched their own engagement with the music but also provided listeners with an experiential and interactive way of engaging in classical works.
Overcoming Challenges, Finding Growth
Working within the Merita Project came with its own set of challenges. Coordinating an event with many arts required flexibility, teamwork, and constant readjustment. The quartet confessed that managing several artists and logistics was a challenge they were learning, but they deemed it a satisfying experience that would guide their future projects.
One particularly memorable moment occurred in Korinthos, where they performed as part of the New Austrian Sound of Music promotional program. The overwhelming response from the audience, who described the performance as their Christmas present, reaffirmed the quartet’s confidence in the power of music to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers.
Looking Ahead: Innovation and Expansion
As the Chaos String Quartet continues its artistic journey, they remain committed to pushing boundaries. Their performances in Vienna, London, Paris, Brussels and numerous other locations display their varied repertoire. They also intend to pursue more ventures in the light of their success in Athens, adding not just music but science to their art-making process as well.
Their name, Chaos, Greek in origin, gives a hint at their experimentalist nature. While their Athens residency was not centered on this theme, it has sparked new ideas for future endeavors tied to the concept of chaos in art and philosophy.
Greece: A Source of Inspiration
Reflecting on what they had passed through in Athens, the team developed great admiration for the city’s culture, light, and mystical nature. The journey to the Acropolis as well as the experience with Greek popular music opened their aesthetic imagination, and they longed to return and learn more about the country’s rich cultural heritage.
And while they press on their work on the Merita Project, the Chaos String Quartet is the embodiment of all that is possible with cooperation, creativity, and inter-artistic collaboration. They are proof that the classical genre of music is not outdated but thriving, an evolving art form capable of communicating with today’s audiences in fresh and innovative ways.