Thirty years is a long time to play music with the same people. Long enough to learn each other’s habits, anticipate each other’s instincts and, occasionally, drive each other a little crazy.

For the four musicians of the Berlin-based Fauré Quartet, that mix of familiarity and friction has become part of what makes the ensemble work. Since forming in 1995, violinist Erika Geldsetzer, violist Sascha Frömbling, cellist Konstantin Heidrich and pianist Dirk Mommertz have stayed together through the inevitable changes of three decades, united by a shared commitment to the music.

“We are four very different personalities. Actually, it's a miracle that we're still together,” Geldsetzer said with a laugh. “Many ensembles — they change their members at some point or another because circumstances change, life happens. But somehow through everything, growing up and catastrophes, big changes — good and bad — we managed to stay together for 31 years. We may be very different people, but we balance each other out quite well.”