Quartet Wassily: Reinventing Classical Music with a Personal Touch

Stories | April 22, 2025

Enter the vibrant world of Quartet Wassily, a Lyon-based string quartet from France that is reinventing how classical music connects with individuals. As part of the Merita Project, an initiative seeking to bring musicians, mentors, historic residences, and concert promoters together across Europe, Quartet Wassily brings a new, personal, and creative touch to their performances.

A Quartet Born of Community

Unlike numerous ensembles that are drawn to capital cities, Quartet Wassily is proudly from Lyon and has opted to construct their artistic path beyond the Parisian limelight. “It’s special for us to be not in the capital,” mentions one of the members, pointing out that they wanted to stay near their origins and community.

From their early days, the quartet has practiced socially engaged concerts – playing in EHPADs (Care Facility for Dependent Elderly People), prisons, and community centers. This commitment to bringing music experiences to all and fostering human connection has become one of the defining features of their identity.

Photo Source: Quartet Wassily

Concert à la Carte: Where Music Meets the Menu

Driven by the dream of connecting more meaningful conversation with audiences, the quartet innovated “Concert à la carte” – a groundbreaking concert experience where attendees choose the musical program, as if ordering from a menu.

Structured into four musical “courses”, namely starter, main course, dessert, and after-dinner drink, each concert is a unique event devised by the audience members themselves. Ranging from Ravel, Beethoven, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, and Dvořák, the pieces are some of the most well-known chamber music repertoire, presented with a humorous twist. The musicians even perform short excerpts at the beginning called “amuse-bouches” to help audiences decide.

This format not only renders classical music more interactive and involving, but also generates a feeling of co-creation between performer and listener. “It’s a new way to experience music,” says the quartet. “And a rare chance for a real connection between musicians and audience.”

A Residency in Norway and Creative Synergy

Within their Merita experience, Quartet Wassily undertook a residency in Stjørdal, Norway, in the beautiful Hegge Gård, an ancient house. They performed there their very first test concert of the “à la carte” format and rehearsed with Pura Corda, the other ensemble of the project, and with Victoria and Carolina from the Julian Cochran Foundation.

The residency also included community outreach, with the musicians sitting down with local music teachers and students for joint rehearsals and performances. “It was really important to create this connection,” they reflected afterwards.

Also, observing what other groups do with their artistic missions inspired the Wassily quartet to expand their own vision. “You get a bit more inspired by the outside world,” they said, valuing intercultural and intergenerational communication that the Merita residency afforded.

Following the success of their test concerts, Quartet Wassily is taking Concert à la carte to an even broader European audience. While they develop their concept, perform at competitions, and expand their following, one thing remains constant: their love of uniting people through music.

Photo Source: Quartet Wassily, Youtube