On March 11, 2020, a significant concert by Quatuor Ébène took place just before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was one of the last opportunities for audiences to gather in venues with under 1000 attendees, and although the concert was well-received, the project was subsequently put on hold due to the pandemic's restrictions. During the hiatus, the ensemble released a comprehensive box set titled 'Beethoven around the World', featuring live recordings from 2019 across six continents, which some critics have hailed as a new benchmark for Beethoven's quartets.

Now, as the world returns to some level of normalcy, Quatuor Ébène is preparing to launch a new live cycle starting on March 1, 2023, at the Prinzregententheater. This cycle aims to highlight all of Beethoven's quartets as part of the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Beethoven's death in 2027. Notably, the ensemble will see a change in its lineup, with Yuya Okamoto stepping in as the cellist, taking over from Rafael Merlin. Okamoto, born in 1994 in Tokyo, brings a fresh talent and perspective to the iconic works of Beethoven, contributing to the excitement surrounding this upcoming series of performances.

The return of such significant events holds implications beyond mere musical enjoyment; it signifies a resurgence of cultural activities post-pandemic and offers audiences an opportunity to experience the timelessness of Beethoven’s music in live settings once again. The Quatuor Ébène's initiative is not only a celebration of classical music but also a response to the challenges faced by musicians and audiences during the pandemic, aiming to rekindle the love for live performances and artistry that had been momentarily lost.