Through its rich knowledge of string quartet culture, the mission of the Rubens Quartet is to combine the old with the new, by interpreting lesser known works of the past and present and placing them alongside the great standards of the quartet repertoire. The quartet plays in dance choreographies, connects literature and music, and initiates music theatre performances. In its concert programs, the ensemble regularly pairs classic with contemporary (Haydn with Dutilleux, Shostakovich with Roukens), and is dedicated to promoting new music, having worked closely with such composers as György Kurtág, Louis Andriessen, and Sofia Gubaidulina.