Protean Quartet: Breathing New Life into Chamber Music through History, Light, and Collective Expression

Stories | May 1, 2025

How one historically informed ensemble reimagines the string quartet for modern audiences through MERITA.

In an era where digital speed threatens to overshadow depth, the Protean Quartet demonstrates that music – and chamber music especially – can still be an act of transformation. As part of the MERITA Project, co-funded by the European Union, the quartet is combining historical authenticity and modern-day creativity in a manner that offers audiences a deep sensory and emotional experience.

An Origin Based on Passion

Formed in 2018, the Protean Quartet emerged from a shared interest in early music and historically informed performance. Originally based in Basel, the quartet formed after a casual post-festival conversation became a serious commitment. Since then, they’ve committed themselves to reviving classical repertoire on period instruments, gut strings, and historically informed performance practices grounded in scholarly research.

“What sets us apart,” they emphasize, “is not just the instruments we use, but the way we connect to music through a historical lens. We want to tell musical stories with the tools of the past – and the spirit of the present.”

MERITA: A Platform for Growth

Being involved in the MERITA project provided the quartet with the space, mentorship, and network to advance their artistic concepts. “It opened doors for us,” they say. “We were able to experiment, expand our artistic language, and collaborate with incredible professionals in a supportive environment.”

A Concert as a Metaphor for Society

Their most recent performance project, developed under a residency in Meres, Asturias, is a reflection on the connection between individuality and collectivity. The concept explores the journey from solitude to social coexistence – and the other way around – resonating with both human psychology and large-scale societal transformations.

Musically, the season spans nearly a millennium: from the sacred songs of Hildegard von Bingen to minimalism with Philip Glass and Arvo Pärt. The goal? To seek emotional and historical depth by programming works that resonate through the ages.

A Stage of Light, Space, and Storytelling

But this is not your average concert. The Protean Quartet transforms each of the locations into a living, breathing entity through the utilization of light, spatial movement, and historical performance to involve the listener.

“Every piece is paired with specific lighting, mood, and space,” they explain. “We move through the church, not just performing from our seats but inhabiting the entire space. The concert becomes a kind of ritual — an experience, not just a show.”

Source: Protean Quartet, Merita

Not Just Music – A Meditative Experience

Audience members are invited to let go of expectations and enter a sensory experience. “If someone comes after a long, hard week,” they say, “this hour-long experience can bring reflection, peace, even a kind of catharsis.”

For the Protean Quartet, the hope is to bring this project to as many cities and communities as possible. “With a thousand years of music packed into one program, it’s not something you experience every day. But that’s the beauty — it challenges and uplifts.”

Their time in Meres, supported by dedicated mentors, technicians, and hosts, was transformative. “We’re so grateful,” they sum it up. “This residency gave us the room to make, to think, and to grow – as artists and as a group.”

Thank you for listening to this tale — and thank you to the European Union for bringing it about.