The language and music of a country are connected by paths that may not be easily noticed yet are very real. Thus, the delicate character of French music owes much to the equally sensitive prosody of the French language – something that is immediately noticeable in Debussy’s ethereal songs. Of course, French poetry can be successfully served by any artist who is able to listen closely and become aware of its meanings and beauty. One such artist was the late composer Thanos Mikroutsikos. The concert is complemented by Ravel’s Quartet, which may not have been judged worthy of the Rome Prize yet has won a place in the pantheon of the great quartets.