The Flux Quartet shows that real innovation is about more than just doing things differently.

Working with a deceptively simple combination of instruments (two violins, a viola and a cello), the string quartet has captured the imagination of musicians, composers and audiences for over 200 years.
Joseph Haydn, who was a pioneer of the form, wrote 68 string quartets in the late 18th century.
Generations of musicians later, contemporary composers like Elliot Carter still consider this particular combination of instruments fertile terrain.
Founded in the 1990s, the Flux Quartet is still pushing the bounds of the form, tirelessly exploring new ways to challenge audiences—and themselves—to keep the music relevant.
Though the Flux’s repertoire is largely comprised of the key compositions of the last half-century, they also make a point to perform the work of young composers that are still finding a place in the music scene.
At a Flux concert, you can hear pieces by stalwarts as diverse as John Cage and Roscoe Mitchell, followed by works from newcomers like Justin Messina and Annie Gosfield.

Watch our short documentary video, featuring an interview with Flux’s founder, Tom Chiu, and music taped live at Bargemusic.

“Variations II”
Composed by John Cage (1961)
This score is more than a set of musical instructions; it acts as a guideline that allows each musician to develop his or her own version of the piece. According to instructions set out by composer John Cage, each performer creates an abstract drawing that is interpreted into music. This image is Flux Quartet violinist Tom Chiu’s score for “Variations II.”

Listen to the Flux Quartet’s interpretation of John Cage’s “Variations II,” and in our interactive feature, be the composer and mix your own version of the piece.