Reconfiguring Space and Sound: The Modulor Quartet’s Experience with Merita

Stories | July 5, 2025

Welcome to the vibrant eclectic universe of the Modulor Quartet, a string quartet in which passion for chamber music, enthusiasm for other arts, and the innovative re-interpretation of tradition come together. One of the Merita Project – European Union co-funded platform of musicians, mentors, concert programmers, and historic houses – the quartet recently participated in an artistic residency that challenged their creativity and deepened their collective voice.

A Quartet Membered by Art and Friendship

Found in 2019 at the Zurich University of the Arts, the Modulor Quartet emerged from shared passion for chamber music and a desire to sincerely take on their full artistic potential. Members today include Beatrice (violin), Gregor (violin), Mila (viola), and Nigel (cello), all sharing differing musical backgrounds and personalities that complement and challenge one another in fulfilling ways.

“The Zurich University is a unique community where all the forms of art such as dance, theatre, visual arts coexist together,” they say. “That made our artistic dream automatically interdisciplinary. That’s why Merita also seemed like the ideal fit.”

Mila, of Ukrainian origin, joined the quartet as an honorary member after being a longtime admirer. “I had to fill in for a Brahms concert on short notice and despite never playing the piece before, I said right away. The room was electric. That’s when it all began.”

Sound Beyond Strings

What sets the Modulor Quartet apart is their constant search for sound color, rhythm, and space in performance. Influenced by their name, Modulor, a reference to the proportion system of architect Le Corbusier, the quartet explores how architecture, design, and space can shape music.

“We experiment constantly,” they say. “Sometimes we don’t even have time to rehearse an entire piece because we’re so focused on one sound idea. But that’s part of our process. It brings surprises, and often those experiments become the highlights of our performances.”

A Residency of Transformation

During their Merita residency, the quartet began with a concept that was centered around time. This changed, however, in the middle of the project because of music rights. Rather than treating it as a setback, they embraced it as an artistic challenge.

“Along the way, we discovered that time doesn’t exist without space,” they explained. “Our final conception developed into time and space in music – a topic that shaped not only the repertoire but also our movement in performance.”

This new approach led them to play not only on stage, but throughout the hall creating an absolutely spatial and immersive musical experience. While this presented technical issues, particularly in coordinating without the use of visual cues, it also heightened their level of trust and flexibility as a group.

A Space of Growth

One of the real highlights of the residency was a casual, evening dinner party in the courtyard, in which musicians from all the different quartets enjoyed food, stories, and inspiration together. “It was sunny, casual, and everybody spoke to everybody. It felt like a community, really.”

Along with artistic growth, the residency also provided a valuable lesson: in music, there are no rules. “Coming from a university system, we think in terms of boundaries,” they explain. “But the tutors kept telling us that in art anything can be done. We were free to dream.”

Looking Forward

In the future, Modulor Quartet wants to continue growing, collaborating with other artists, actors, dancers, visual artists, and a commitment to sidestepping norms of traditional performance. They would be thrilled, someday, to appear on the same stage as ensembles like Quatuor Ébène and Vision String Quartet, whose artistry and imagination they greatly admire.

“Our dream is to keep exploring, learning, and creating something meaningful together.”

A Final Thank You

The quartet extended heartfelt thanks to Merita for making the experience possible, and to Wendy, whose cooking and care made the week even more special.

“We’re leaving this residency not just as better musicians, but as a stronger ensemble,” they say. “And we’re excited for what comes next.”