The Salzburg Festival presented a unique production in 2012: the renowned Hagen Quartett appeared together with the Zürcher Ballett. The Swiss grand master of dance Heinz Spoerli created three works for his Zurich Ballet set to three of the greatest works of the string-quartet literature: Leos Janáček’s string quartet “Intimate Letters”, Antonín Dvořák’s “American Quartet” and Franz Schubert’s string quartet “Death and the Maiden”. Based in Salzburg, the Hagen Quartett is highly popular with the public for its high standard of musicality, serious artistic approach and its enthusiastic love of playing. The Hagens do not give themselves airs and graces; instead, an almost tender dedication to the composers is characteristic of their work. This is a triumph on home ground for this renowned ensemble.