Günter Pichler

It was one of the most important events in the life of the Alban Berg Quartet when Luciano Berio agreed to write a quartet for us. Notturno became one of the most beautiful and best quartets of the 20th century. And the time we spent together with Luciano, whether during the preparatory meeting in Harvard or after concerts in Vienna, London, Paris etc. will never be forgotten.
After we performed Notturno in Carnegie-Hall, Luciano realized that this delicately perfumed work wasn't ideal for such a grand hall and decided to write an orchestral version.
Up to this day I am proud of the fact that Luciano asked me to conduct its first performance at the Lucerne Festival.

Günter Pichler
Alban Berg Quartett

[Lettera manoscritta di L. Berio ai componenti dell'Alban Berg Quartett, febbraio 1994; archivio privato G. Pichler, per gentile concessione]