“Ca the Yowes” – Traditional arr. Steph Tress
Hymn to the Sun from The Golden Cockerel Rimsky-Korsakov/Kreisler arr. Amy Tress
Warblework movement IV. Veery – Cassandra Miller
Mass for Four Voices – William Byrd
“Days” from “The Four Quarters” – Thomas Adès
Ghost Theme – Schumann arr. Will Newell
O Magnum Mysterium – Gabrieli
“Drink To Me Only with Thine Eyes” – Florence Price
Transylvanian Dances – Bartok
From 1-15 September 2020, the Bandstand Chamber Festival and Wandsworth Council will present a high-quality series of free, outdoor chamber music concerts. The performances will be part of the Love Parks Wandsworth campaign, which encourages residents to enjoy their local greenspace. There will be four top string quartets, performing some of the greatest pieces of classical music to a socially-distanced audience in Battersea Park, using the beautiful Victorian bandstand as a stage.
Haydn Quartet no. 65 in E flat major, op. 76, no. 6, Hob.III:80
Brahms Clarinet Quintet in B minor, op. 115
Haydn Quartet no. 65 in E flat major, op. 76, no. 6, Hob.III:80
Beethoven Quartet no. 13 in B flat major, op. 130
Haydn Quartet no. 65 in E flat major, op. 76, no. 6, Hob.III:80
Beethoven Quartet no. 13 in B flat major, op. 130
This recording by the Solem Quartet was made possible thanks to support from Lampeter Music Club and the University of Liverpool
On air from about 5.05 pm
Beethoven Finale from Quartet no. 13 in B flat major, op. 130
Price Summer Moon, arr. William Newell
Adès Days, from The Four Quarters
This is a streamed event, available to single ticket holders from Fri 20 Nov at 7:30PM until Sun 22 Nov at 9:00PM
Introduction to, and performance of:
Beethoven Quartet in B flat major, op. 130
Adés The Four Quarters Beethoven Quartet no. 13 in Bb major, op. 130
Adès The Four Quarters
Beethoven Quartet no. 13 in B flat major, op. 130
Haydn Quartet no. 65 in E flat major, op. 76, no. 6, Hob.III:80
Tchaikovsky Quartet no. 3 in E flat minor, op. 30
Beethoven Quartet no. 13 in B flat major, op. 130
Schumann A Child Falling Asleep, arr. William Newell
Bartók An Evening in the Village, arr. William Newell
Price Summer Moon, arr. William Newell
Haydn Quartet no. 65 in E flat major, op. 76, no. 6, Hob.III:80
Adés The Four Quarters Beethoven Quartet no. 13 in Bb major, op. 130
BBN Writing for Quartet
A chance for composers of all ages and backgrounds to meet the Solem Quartet, and investigate how to write successfully for string quartet!
This workshop forms part of the Solem Quartet’s ongoing series celebrating contemporary string quartet writing, Beethoven Bartok Now.
Composers of all ages, levels, and backgrounds are encouraged to join us for a Zoom meeting – please spread the word! We will be taking questions, demonstrating techniques, and performing short excerpts of submitted works.
With Anthony Friend (clarinet)
Vasks String Quartet no. 2, Summer Tunes
Schumann A Child Falling Asleep, arr. William Newell
Bartók An Evening in the Village, arr. William Newell
Price Summer Moon, arr. William Newell
Brahms Clarinet Quintet in B minor, op. 115
From the extinction of species to the planet’s abundance of nature, from the concentration of micro plastics in oceans to the connection between personal memories and belongings with time and climate, this concert features four intriguing and contrasting reflections on the festival theme ‘the environment’ that is very much relevant to us today.
John Metcalf Towards Silence - A Winter Journey (preview)
Guto Pryderi Puw String Quartet #1 – your paths overflow with plenty
Thomas Whitcombe Micro
Jasmin Kent Rodgman 28 #Lunar_man5i0ns
Luke Lewis 'Five Portraits'
Joseph Horovitz Quartet No 4
Joseph Horovitz Quartet No 5
Joseph Horovitz Ghetto Song, for solo guitar
A chance for composers of all ages and backgrounds to meet the Solem Quartet, and delve into the contemporary string quartet world!
Following on from the success of the first workshop in January 2021, the Solem Quartet host ‘Writing for Quartet’ workshop #2, as part of their ongoing celebration of groundbreaking string quartet writing. ‘Writing for Quartet’ is a strand of the Quartet’s Beethoven Bartok Now series.
Composers of all ages, levels, and backgrounds are encouraged to join the Solem Quartet for a Zoom meeting – please spread the word! We will be taking questions, demonstrating techniques, and performing short excerpts of submitted works. In addition to this, we will also be delving into the detail of one of the great contemporary music quartets, Thomas Ades’ The Four Quarters.
This is a free online Zoom event – but reserving a free ticket is essential. The Zoom link will become available just before the event.
As part of the Waterloo Festival
Schubert Octet in F Major, D. 803
Solem Quartet
Anthony Friend, clarinet
Catriona McDermid, bassoon
Stephen Craigen, French horn
Marianne Schofield, double bass
Haydn Quartet no. 53 in D major, op. 64, no. 5, Hob.III:63, The Lark
Bartók String Quartet no. 5, BB 110
Beethoven Quartet no. 12 in E flat major, op. 127
Miller Warblework
Greenwood Suite from There will be Blood (UK Premiere)
Miller Warblework
Greenwood Suite from There will be Blood
The Solem Quartet present the first part of their groundbreaking series Beethoven Bartók Now: Night Music, featuring new work by Aaron Parker.
Beethoven Quartet no. 13 op. 130 | Bartók Quartet no. 5 | Aaron Parker tuóretu
Beethoven Bartók Now: Night Music.
Featuring a new work by Aaron Parker: tuóretu
This specially commissioned digital event will be available online, to view from the comfort of your own home, or you can join us at Aberystwyth Arts Centre for a special, one-off screening.
This imaginatively constructed concert takes the form of an hour-long tapestry of music, interspersing Aaron Parker’s own reflections with movements from Beethoven’s Quartet, op. 130 and Bartók’s Quartet no. 5.
Lonely melodies supported by eerie dissonances punctuated with sounds of nature characterise Bartók’s ‘night music' style. Beethoven's op. 130, the second of the late Quartets, contains an extraordinary palette of darkness and light in six remarkable movements. The young British composer Aaron Parker has written a spell-binding new work, tuóretu, featuring references to Bartok’s ‘night music’, with a depth of harmonic expression found so richly in Beethoven's Quartet no. 13.
Solem Quartet and Friends
Solem Quartet
Anthony Friend, clarinet
Catriona McDermid, bassoon
James Pillai, french horn
Marianne Schofield, double bass
Price Summer Moon, arr. William Newell
Price Drink to me only with thine eyes, from Five Folksongs in Counterpoint
Schubert Octet in F Major, D. 803
Solem Quartet and Friends
Solem Quartet
Anthony Friend, clarinet
Catriona McDermid, bassoon
James Pillai, french horn
Marianne Schofield, double bass
Price Summer Moon, arr. William Newell
Price Drink to me only with thine eyes, from Five Folksongs in Counterpoint
Schubert Octet in F Major, D. 803
Robert Plane (clarinet) and the Solem Quartet
Gurney Sleep, from Five Elizabethan Songs, arr. William Newell
Trad. Ca' the Yowes, arr. Steph Tress
Price Summer Moon, arr. William Newell
Coleridge-Taylor Clarinet Quintet in F sharp minor, op. 10
Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581
Robert Plane (clarinet) and the Solem Quartet
Vasks String Quartet no. 3
Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581
Peter Reynolds Composer Studio
Peteris Vasks: String Quartets
Vasks String Quartet no. 2, Summer Tunes
Vasks String Quartet no. 3
This concert will be streamed live on the Vale of Glamorgan Festival YouTube channel.
Fruits of Silence
With Siwan Rhys (piano)
Vasks String Quartet no. 1, revised version
Metcalf Preview of new quartet: Towards Silence
Puw String Quartet #1 – your paths overflow with plenty
Jenkins The Lake Isle of Innisfree
Vasks The Fruit of Silence, version for Piano Quintet
This concert will be streamed live on the Vale of Glamorgan Festival YouTube channel.
Bartók String Quartet no. 4, BB 95
Beethoven Quartet no. 12 in E flat major, op. 127
With the Maggini Quartet, to open Stour Valley Arts & Music’s 70th season.
John Ireland String Quartet No.1 - Maggini Quartet
John Metcalf String Quartet, Towards Silence - Solem Quartet
Mendelssohn Octet in E flat major, op. 20
This term's concerts at LSE are only open to LSE Students and LSE staff.
Bartók String Quartet no. 4, BB 95
Beethoven Quartet no. 12 in E flat major, op. 127
Reveries:
Henry Purcell By Beauteous Softness Mix’d with Majesty, from Now does the glorious day appear, arr. Amy Tress
Henry Purcell/Ivor Gurney Thy Hand Belinda/Sleep, arr. William Newell
Cassandra Miller Hermit Thrush, from Warblework
Robert Schumann Child Falling Asleep, op. 15, no. 12, from Kinderszenen, arr. William Newell
Trad. Ca' the Yowes, arr. Steph Tress
Ludwig van Beethoven Quartet no. 12 in E flat major, op. 127
Mendelssohn String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
‘Sunrise’ – a selection of pieces by Purcell, Ivor Gurney, Cassandra Miller and Trad.
Beethoven Quartet no. 12 in E flat major, op. 127
"Sunrise" – a selection of pieces by Purcell, Ivor Gurney, Cassandra Miller and Trad.
Beethoven Quartet no. 14 in C sharp minor, op. 131
Bartók String Quartet no. 1
"Sunrise" – a selection of pieces by Purcell, Ivor Gurney, Cassandra Miller and Trad.
Beethoven Quartet no. 14 in C sharp minor, op. 131
Bartók String Quartet no. 1
"Sunrise" – a selection of pieces by Purcell, Ivor Gurney, Cassandra Miller and Trad.
Beethoven Quartet no. 14 in C sharp minor, op. 131
Bartók String Quartet no. 1
"Sunrise" – a selection of pieces by Purcell, Ivor Gurney, Cassandra Miller and Trad.
Beethoven Quartet no. 14 in C sharp minor, op. 131
Inside the String Quartet
We’re all remarkably good at hiding how classical music is made, with most rehearsals off limits from public eyes and ears. Recently the RPS has created opportunities to join several celebrated singers and pianists as they rehearse. Now, for the first time, we invite you to see how a string quartet works together in shaping music for the stage.
Clara Schumann Three Romances, op. 22, arr. Amy Tress
Bartók String Quartet no. 1, BB 52
Beethoven Quartet no. 14 in C sharp minor, op. 131
BBN 2: 'Song & Dance'
Beethoven Bartók Now: Song & Dance is a one-hour journey of music and movement, using those most intrinsic and instinctive aspects of human creativity - song and dance - as a springboard.
The performance piece, the culmination of the collaboration between the Solem Quartet and students from Trinity Laban’s CoLab project, will be presented in playlist form, interweaving individual movements from Bartók’s folk-driven 4th Quartet, Beethoven’s monumental op. 127, newly created content, and a world premiere from composer Jasmine Morris inspired by Butoh dance.
Don’t miss the opportunity to witness this exciting and original performance piece.
Beethoven Bartók Now is a ground-breaking project from the Solem Quartet, one of the most innovative quartets of their generation, which brings together the late quartets of Beethoven and the quartets of Béla Bartók, uniquely reimagined with music from composers of today.
This part of the evening draws on repertoire from Bartók’s Quartet no. 4, Beethoven’s Quartet no. 12, op. 127 and Jasmine Morris’ Hitogata (world premiere).
Before the Beethoven Bartók Now: Song & Dance event, Professor Bruno Heinen and students derive a contemporary improvising perspective on Béla Bartók's final set of Mikrokosmos. The group will use the last book of Mikrokosmos as a starting point for a new set of pieces that tell the story of our collective relationship with child-like improvisation.
There will be a break between the evening’s two performances and the Bar at Blackheath Halls will be open.
Schumann Three Romances for violin and piano, op.22, arr. Amy Tress
Bartók String Quartet no. 4, BB 95
Mendelssohn String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
Schumann Three Romances for violin and piano, op.22, arr. Amy Tress
Bartók String Quartet no. 4, BB 95
Mendelssohn String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
Solem Quartet and Anthony Friend (clarinet)
Mendelssohn String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
Coleridge-Taylor Clarinet Quintet in F sharp minor, op. 10
Felix Mendelssohn String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
Clara Schumann Three Romances for violin and piano, op.22, arr. Amy Tress
Ludwig van Beethoven Quartet in C sharp minor, op. 131
Clara Schumann Three Romances for violin and piano, op.22, arr. Amy Tress
Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581
Solem Quartet and Mark Simpson (clarinet)
Simpson Darkness Moves
Compton-Stewart Duality of Gesture (student piece)
Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581
Working with students as part of residency
Working with students as part of residency
Gala Concert to celebrate the opening of the Tung Auditorium.
Private event.
Lunchtime concert in the ORNC Chapel:
Schumann Three Romances for violin and piano, op.22, arr. Amy Tress
Schumann Child Falling Asleep, op. 15, no. 12, from Kinderszenen, arr. William Newell
Mendelssohn String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
Afternoon sessions working with student ensembles.
Outreach work with local schools
Bartók String Quartet no. 4, BB 95
Miller Warblework
Beethoven Quartet no. 12 in E flat major, op. 127
During the programme, the Quartet will play:
1st mvt of Mendelssohn String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
Cassandra Miller 'Veery', from Warblework
Schumann No 1, from Three Romances for violin and piano, op.22, arr. Amy Tress
As part of Music on Mondays' theme for this season: Relationships within families. Clara Schumann Three Romances for violin and piano, op.22, arr. Amy Tress Schumann Child Falling Asleep, op. 15, no. 12, from Kinderszenen, arr. William Newell Mendelssohn String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3 Beethoven Quartet no. 12…
A unique programme of Ayanna Witter-Johnson's classical works performed by Ayanna and a variety of friends and guest performers including Jess Gillam, Solem Quartet, Ligeti Quartet, Nitin Sawhney, Andrea Baker, Thea Sayer, Héloïse Werner and Marianne Schofield. A British-born Jamaican, her music is a body of work that represents, celebrates and pays homage to her ancestral heritage, culture and identity.
The evening will include the world premiere of 'Island Suite', written by Ayanna for the Solem Quartet.
The Department of Music presents more composition and performance highlights from the year including collaborations with Ensemble-in-Residence, the Solem Quartet, and Honorary Visiting Scholar Shu Xue (yangqin).
J. S. Bach Harpsichord Concerto in D minor BWV1052
Yang sound sound slow
Mozart Piano Concerto in E flat K449 (piano quintet version)
Roche A Prayer at the Edge of Silence
Mendelssohn String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
Beethoven Quartet no. 14 in C sharp minor, op. 131
David John Roche A Prayer at the Edge of Silence
Felix Mendelssohn String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
Ludwig van Beethoven Quartet in C sharp minor, op. 131
Premiere of Beethoven Bartók Now: Pioneers
Beethoven Bartók Now, is an ambitious series bringing together the late quartets of Beethoven and the quartets of Bartók, uniquely reimagined with music from composers of today.
In a one-hour playlist-form concert, ‘BBN: Pioneers’ features Bartók’s achingly beautiful 1st Quartet, Beethoven’s most exploratory and inventive work in the genre, opus 131, and a new work by David John Roche: “a wild, blistering experience - bold, exciting, relentlessly powerful music!". Preceded by a 20-minute “Unpacking BBN live” presentation.
Bartók String Quartet no. 1, BB 52
Beethoven Quartet no. 14 in C sharp minor, op. 131
Roche A Prayer at the Edge of Silence
Mark Simpson (clarinet) and the Solem Quartet
Simpson Clarinet Quintet
Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581
Bartók String Quartet no. 1, BB 52
Roche A Prayer at the Edge of Silence
Beethoven Quartet no. 14 in C sharp minor, op. 131
Clara Schumann Three Romances, op. 22, arr. Amy Tress
Bartók String Quartet no. 1, BB 52
Beethoven Quartet no. 14 in C sharp minor, op. 131
Bartók An Evening in the Village, arr. William Newell
Bartók Transylvanian Dances
Schumann Three Romances for violin and piano, op.22, arr. Amy Tress
Schumann Child Falling Asleep, op. 15, no. 12, from Kinderszenen, arr. William Newell
Bartók String Quartet no. 3, BB 93
Beethoven Quartet no. 14 in C sharp minor, op. 131
Schumann Three Romances for violin and piano, op.22, arr. Amy Tress
Bartók String Quartet no. 3, BB 93
Roche A Prayer at the Edge of Silence
Beethoven Quartet in B flat major, op. 133, Grosse Fugue
Beethoven Bartók Now: Experiments
Part of the Solem Quartet’s Beethoven Bartók Now series, BBN: Experiments features a new work from one of the brightest stars of the music world, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, who will perform live in collaboration with the Solem Quartet. Her piece takes inspiration from Jamaican folk song to create a work that defies genre.
The programme will also feature experimental works from two historic composers: in the Grosse Fugue, Beethoven pushed boundaries creating ‘music that will be contemporary forever’ according to Stravinsky, while Bartók’s Third Quartet sees the composer finding his true voice, channelling the Eastern-European folk music he so loved.
BBN: 'Experiments' - featuring Ayanna Witter-Johnson (composer/cello/vocals)
Beethoven Quartet in B flat major, op. 133, Grosse Fugue
Bartok Quartet No. 3, BB 93
Witter-Johnson Island Suite (Welsh Premiere)
In Memory of Peter Kingswood 1934-2021
To include Mendelssohn Octet in Eb, Op. 20, played by the Sacconi Quartet and Solem Quartet
Maria Hegele (mezzo-soprano)
Solem Quartet
Anthony Friend (clarinet)
Simon Lane (piano)
Metcalf String Quartet, Towards Silence
Brahms, arr. Reimann 5 Ophelia-Lieder for voice and string quartet
Chausson Chanson Perpétuelle, op. 37
Barber Dover Beach
Blackford Clarinet Quintet, Full Moon
Supported by the RPS
Workshop
Will also be available online
A chance for composers of all ages & backgrounds to delve into the contemporary string quartet world with the Solem Quartet! LIVE & ONLINE
Book tickets here.
BBN: Writing for Quartet returns! Come and have excerpts from your work performed and workshopped, hear your ideas tried out, and meet like-minded composers and colleagues. Join us live in person at the Royal Overseas League, London, or online via Zoom.
Composers of all ages, levels, and backgrounds are encouraged to join us. We will be taking questions, demonstrating techniques, and performing short excerpts of submitted works.
Writing for Quartet is part of the Solem Quartet’s celebrated series championing contemporary string quartet writing, Beethoven Bartók Now, and is kindly supported by the Royal Philharmonic Society and the Royal Overseas League.
This is a free event – but reserving a free ticket (live or online) is essential. The Zoom link will become available just before the event.
If you would like us to play a short segment of a work you are writing, and are happy for that work to be discussed in an online public forum, please submit your work in advance following the steps below:
– As an attachment(s), please include score and parts as appropriate clearly labelled – please note we play from iPads!
– Please start the subject line with “W4Q”
– Send your work to solemquartet@gmail.com
The deadline for submitted excerpts is 10pm (UK time) on Friday 23rd September 2022.
Please note that we will not be able to include all submitted excerpts but will aim to play as many as possible. The inclusion or not of any work is not a judgment on quality – we will try to choose a wide range of works to display of a variety of styles, techniques, challenges etc. across the whole workshop.
Follow us! @solemquartet
Find out more at: solemquartet.co.uk/bbn
Residency
Beethoven Bartók Now: Experiments
…and Stories
Bela Bartók: Duos (selection) for 2 violins
Bela Bartók: Quartet no. 3, BB 93
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in B flat major, op. 133, Grosse Fugue
Ayanna Witter-Johnson: Island Suite
The celebrated songwriter, composer, pianist and cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson joins the acclaimed Solem Quartet for this thought provoking, high-energy, and cathartic presentation of music and readings, all of which combine to inform the present.
Laced together via the words of the archetypal experimenters, Bartók and Beethoven, in which they describe the thinking behind their respective ground breaking masterpieces, the Solem Quartet perform Beethoven’s Grosse Fugue and Bartók’s Third Quartet before being joined by Ayanna Witter-Johnson to perform her specially composed ‘Island Suite’.
In the Grosse Fugue, Beethoven pushed boundaries creating ‘music that will be contemporary forever’ according to Stravinsky, while Bartók’s Third Quartet sees the composer finding his true voice, channelling the Eastern-European folk music he so loved. Ayanna’s piece is a musical and narrative journey which takes inspiration from Jamaican folk song to create a work that defies genre, and tells the story of Ayanna Witter-Johnson’s ancestry.
Clara Schumann: Three Romances for violin and piano, op.22
Henriëtte Bosmans: String Quartet
John Metcalf: String Quartet, Towards Silence
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
Clara Schumann: Three Romances for violin and piano, op.22
Henriëtte Bosmans: String Quartet
John Metcalf: String Quartet, Towards Silence
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
Bela Bartók, arr. William Newell: An Evening in the Village
Bela Bartók: Transylvanian Dances
Robert Schumann, arr. William Newell: Child Falling Asleep, op. 15, no. 12, from Kinderszenen
Clara Schumann, arr. Amy Tress: Three Romances, op.22
Bela Bartók: Quartet no. 3, BB 93
John Metcalf: String Quartet, Towards Silence
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in B flat major, op. 133, Grosse Fugue
Bela Bartók: Transylvanian Dances
Bela Bartók: Quartet no. 3, BB 93
Henriëtte Bosmans: String Quartet
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in B flat major, op. 133, Grosse Fugue
Recording
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
Henriëtte Bosmans: Quartet
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in A minor, op. 132
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
Henriëtte Bosmans: Quartet
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in A minor, op. 132
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
Henriëtte Bosmans: Quartet
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in A minor, op. 132
Clara Schumann, arr. Amy Tress: Three Romances, op.22
Bela Bartók: Quartet no. 2, op. 17, BB 75
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
This concert, from the University of Liverpool's Ensemble-in-Residence, brings together a well-loved quartet, Felix Mendelssohn's joyous op 44 no. 3, with lesser-known and newly arranged works. Lili Boulanger's Nocturne (originally for violin and piano and arranged by the Solem Quartet's second violin, William Newell) is beautifully expressive and rich in colour; while Henriëtte Bosmans' String Quartet of 1927 has a fleeting, impressionistic quality.
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet no. 5 in E flat major, op. 44, no. 3
Lili Boulanger, arr. William Newell: Nocturne
Henriëtte Bosmans: String Quartet
Henriëtte Bosmans: String Quartet
Bela Bartók: Quartet no. 2, op. 17, BB 75
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in A minor, op. 132
Henriëtte Bosmans: String Quartet
Bela Bartók: Quartet no. 2, op. 17, BB 75
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in A minor, op. 132
Seminar-style open rehearsal of Bartók's Quartet No.2 and a performance for students.
(Not open to the public)
Henriëtte Bosmans: String Quartet
Jonny Greenwood: Suite from There will be Blood
Steve Reich: Different Trains
Residency
Concert with student/staff performances
Stephanie Tress, the Solem Quartet's cellist, talks to BBC Radio Norfolk about the Quartet's residency at this year's Norfolk & Norwich Festival
Beethoven Bartók Now: 'Courage' with Faraz Eshghi
Featuring the premiere of a brand new work from British-Lebanese composer Bushra El-Turk, composed for string quartet and kamancheh, alongside great works of the past.
Bela Bartók: Quartet no. 6, BB 119
Bushra El-Turk: Rostan, Rastan and Rast-Kara for Kamanche/Qeychak and String Quartet
Interval
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet no. 16 in F major, op. 135
Henriëtte Bosmans: String Quartet
Bela Bartók: Quartet no. 6, BB 119
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet no. 16 in F major, op. 135
Members of the Solem Quartet work with Guildhall Young Artists Norwich
The Solem Quartet chat to Sean Rafferty about their ongoing residency at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, ahead of their next two concerts on the 24th and 25th May.
Joined by the singer Alice Zawadzki, they will perform one of the Kate Bush songs specially arranged (commissioned by Norfolk & Norwich Festival) for string quartet and voice by Solem Quartet member William Newell. The full set will be performed at the festival’s late-night concert on the 24th May, Solem Quartet Late.
In Tune listeners will also be able to hear, for the very first time, part of Edmund Finnis’s new string Quartet, Devotions, commissioned by the Solem Quartet and receiving its premiere concert performance at the festival on the 25th May, as part of Beethoven Bartók Now: Life Episodes.
Steve Reich/Kate Bush with Alice Zawadzki
Two giant musical voices of the late twentieth century meet in this relaxed concert. Solem Quartet perform Steve Reich’s iconic Different Trains, and vocalist Alice Zawadzki joins them for songs by Kate Bush, newly arranged for string quartet and voice.
Steve Reich: Different Trains
Kate Bush, arr. William Newell: Selection of songs
BBN: Life Episodes
BBN: Life Episodes brings together a world premiere from Edmund Finnis with music by Beethoven and Bartók, and beautiful filmed testimonies created by Jessie Rodger, to produce a one-off music-film event, portraying survival, healing and rejuvenation.
Bela Bartók: Quartet no. 2, op. 17, BB 75
Edmund Finnis: String Quartet no. 3, Devotions
Ludwig van Beethoven: 'Heiliger Dankgesang' from Quartet no. 15 in A minor, op. 132
Oliver Zeffman conducts an ensemble featuring the Solem Quartet, harpischordist Pawel Siwczak and contralto Mae Heydorn in music by:
Handel
Duphly
Caroline Shaw
Henriëtte Bosmans
This concert is a preview of Classical Pride, the first Pride concert given by a major orchestra in Europe, sponsored by Sotheby’s. Taking place at the Barbican on 7 July – presented by Nick Grimshaw – Oliver Zeffman will conduct the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, an LGBTQ+ community chorus and world renowned soloists in a programme of Bernstein, Poulenc, Tchaikovsky, Caroline Shaw and a world premiere by Julian Anderson.
Steve Reich: Different Trains
Kate Bush, arr. William Newell: A selection of her songs
Clara Schumann, arr. Amy Tress: Three Romances, op.22
Leos Janá?ek: String Quartet no. 1, Kreutzer
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in A minor, op. 132
John Metcalf: String Quartet, Towards Silence
BBN 5: 'Life Episodes'
Solem Quartet
Julien Van Mellaerts (baritone)
Bela Bartók: Quartet no. 3, BB 93
John McCabe: Silver Nocturnes
Roxanna Panufnik: Heartfelt
Leos Janácek: String Quartet no. 1, Kreutzer
Solem Quartet
Edmund Finnis: String Quartet no. 3, Devotions
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in A minor, op. 132
Masterclass
Henriëtte Bosmans: String Quartet
Leos Janá?ek: String Quartet no. 1, Kreutzer
Interval
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in A minor, op. 132
This is a one-hour concert without interval followed by a three-course dinner. Doors open at 6:00 for drinks, concert starts at 6:30pm.
Claude Debussy: Quartet in G Minor, op. 10
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581
Bela Bartók: Quartet no. 2, op. 17, BB 75
Edmund Finnis: String Quartet no. 3, Devotions
Interval
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in A minor, op. 132
BBN: 'Life Episodes' - Edmund Finnis, Bartók and Beethoven
Laurence Osborn Day
Henriëtte Bosmans: String Quartet
Laurence Osborn: Lakes, Mists, Bats, Daggers and Fountains (premere)
Leos Janáček: String Quartet no. 1, Kreutzer
Lili Boulanger, arr. William Newell: Nocturne
Laurence Osborn: Lakes, Mists, Bats, Daggers and Fountains
Interval
Henriëtte Bosmans: String Quartet
Leos Janáček: String Quartet no. 1, Kreutzer
Composer Workshop
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in A minor, op. 132, 1st movement
Lili Boulanger, arr. William Newell: Nocturne
Edmund Finnis: String Quartet no. 3, Devotions, movement 6
Edmund Finnis: String Quartet no. 3, Devotions (London premiere)
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in A minor, op. 132
Featuring:
Bela Bartók: Quartet no. 3, BB 93
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in B flat major, op. 133, Grosse Fugue
Ayanna Witter-Johnson: Island Suite
Claude Debussy: Quartet in G Minor, op. 10
Bela Bartók: Quartet no. 3, BB 93
Interval
Lili Boulanger, arr. William Newell: Deux morceaux, arranged for string quartet
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quintet no. 1 in A major, op. 18
The Solem Quartet join cellist/composer Philip Sheppard for Sleeping at Last’s UK debut.
Amy Bryce: Mimic
Nadia Boulanger, arr. Amy Tress: Three Pieces for cello and piano, arranged for string quartet
Claude Debussy: Quartet in G Minor, op. 10
Leos Janáček: String Quartet no. 1, Kreutzer
Errollyn Wallen: LENCTEN (world premiere, commissioned by Shiry Rashkovsky)
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quintet no. 1 in A major, op. 18
Steve Reich: Different Trains
Kate Bush, arr. William Newell: A selection of her songs
Steve Reich: Different Trains
Kate Bush, arr. William Newell: A selection of her songs
Steve Reich: Different Trains
Kate Bush, arr. William Newell: A selection of her songs
Steve Reich: Different Trains
Kate Bush, arr. William Newell: A selection of her songs
Nadia Boulanger, arr. Amy Tress: Three Pieces for cello and piano, arranged for string quartet
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet no. 16 in F major, op. 135
Interval
Lili Boulanger, arr. William Newell: Deux morceaux, arranged for string quartet
Claude Debussy: Quartet in G Minor, op. 10
Sleeping at Last, Solem Quartet and cellist/composer Philip Sheppard
Sleeping At Last, the stage moniker of Chicago-based singer, producer and composer Ryan O’Neal, has captivated worldwide listeners for the past 12 years with its enchanting and emotive sound.
O’Neal is known for his ability to craft introspective and cinematic compositions, which have featured in films and series including The Fault in Our Stars, The Twilight Saga and Grey’s Anatomy.
Over the last decade, O’Neal has released three full-length albums, performed with the likes of Alanis Morissette and Christina Perri, scored the feature documentary film Many Beautiful Things, and recorded a podcast in which he explains the process and inspiration behind his music, one song at a time.
In this performance, he shares music from his Atlas project, which has spanned the past 11 years and seen him release an ongoing series of EPs and garner a loyal following.
The Department of Music's ensemble-in-residence the Solem Quartet will be joined by students to showcase the achievements of performers and composers across the academic year.
Nadia Boulanger, arr. Amy Tress: Three Pieces for cello and piano, arranged for string quartet
Edmund Finnis: String Quartet no. 3, Devotions
Interval
Lili Boulanger, arr. William Newell: Deux morceaux, arranged for string quartet
Leos Janácek: String Quartet no. 1, Kreutzer
BBN: Courage
Bela Bartók: Quartet no. 6, BB 119
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet no. 16 in F major, op. 135
Bushra El-Turk: Rostan, Rastan and Rast-Kara for Kamanche/Qeychak and String Quartet
With Emile Souvagie (clarinet)
Nadia Boulanger, arr. Amy Tress: Three Pieces for cello and piano, arranged for string quartet
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet no. 16 in F major, op. 135
Interval
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581
Quartet in Residence
Steve Reich: Different Trains
Kate Bush, arr. William Newell: A selection of her songs
Nadia Boulanger, arr. Amy Tress: Three Pieces for cello and piano, arranged for string quartet
Claude Debussy: Quartet in G minor, op. 10
Interval
Felix Mendelssohn: String Octet in E flat major, op. 20
Lili Boulanger, arr. William Newell: Deux morceaux, arranged for string quartet
Edmund Finnis: String Quartet no. 3, Devotions
Interval
Nadia Boulanger, arr. Amy Tress: Three Pieces for cello and piano, arranged for string quartet
Claude Debussy: Quartet in G minor, op. 10
Student coaching followed by the Inaugural Montgomery Chamber Music Competition (adjudication)
The Solem Quartet continue their residency at University of Liverpool
Painted Light
Nadia Boulanger, arr. Amy Tress: Three Pieces for cello and piano, arranged for string quartet
Edmund Finnis: String Quartet no. 3, Devotions
Interval
Lili Boulanger, arr. William Newell: Deux morceaux, arranged for string quartet
Claude Debussy: Quartet in G Minor, op. 10
Henriëtte Bosmans: String Quartet
Errollyn Wallen: LENCTEN
Interval
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quintet no. 1 in A major, op. 18
Henriëtte Bosmans: String Quartet
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet no. 16 in F major, op. 135
Interval
Nadia Boulanger, arr. Amy Tress: Three Pieces for cello and piano, arranged for string quartet
Claude Debussy: Quartet in G Minor, op. 10
