PREVIEW OF THE 2013/2014 SEASON
We are planning another exciting season for the coming year, and so that you can mark the dates in your diaries and not miss anything, we list the concerts below. For some of the groups we already have programme details, for others we are still in discussions. Information on all the programmes will be given in our brochures, which will be circulated to our mailing lists in early August – do sign up if you would like to receive one and you are not yet on the list – and on our website at www.aberdeenchambermusic.org
Monday 7th October 2013 Passacaglia
It is several years since we have had a concert from a baroque ensemble, so we are delighted to welcome again Passacaglia, one of Britain’s best-loved ensembles, featuring some of the country’s finest and most respected specialist baroque musicians – two flute / recorder players, a harpsichord and a wonderful viola da gamba player. Performing in a wide range of countries, at Festivals and music societies and on radio, their two recent recordings on Linn Records received five-star reviews. Their Naxos CD called “La Triomphante” was recently reviewed in the Recorder Magazine as “Breathtaking…this performance really shows why Passacaglia has developed such a reputation as exponents of French baroque repertoire.” Hear them on their website at www.passacaglia.com .
Monday 18th November 2013 The Arcadia String Quartet
These great musicians from Romania won the London International Quartet Competition in 2012, and will be coming to Scotland for the first time. This concert will be part of the SOUND Festival of New Music, and will include the UK première performance of a piece by Romanian composer Dan Variu, commissioned for them and to receive its world première at the Enesco festival in September. Their programme will also include one of Beethoven’s op.18 quartets, and Janacek’s Quartet no. 2, “Intimate Letters”. As the Cowdray Hall is being used for examinations on this date, this November concert will be held in the Sanctuary at Queen’s Cross Church.
Monday 2nd December 2013 Ian Watt, guitar, and his Trio
This trio of young musicians brought together by Ian Watt, well-known award-winning guitarist from the North-East, includes Beth McKay, mezzo soprano, and David Livingston, violin. They will give us a varied programme, including some Britten in his centenary year. It should be a lively and enjoyable evening, very appropriate for our traditional mince pies and wine for all! We hope that this concert will attract many young aspiring guitarists to swell our numbers.
Monday 13th January 2014 The Wu String Quartet
Another very impressive young quartet who will be coming for the first time to Aberdeen. After winning various European competitions in 2011 and 2012, they gave their Wigmore Hall debut in 2011, played there in 2012, and will perform there again this year. They have already taken part in prestigious festivals, and have qualified for expert coaching by founder members of the Lindsay Quartet and the Alban Berg Quartet. We are definitely in for a treat! Read all about them on their website at www.wuquartet.com
Monday 17th February 2014 The Doric String Quartet
We were so impressed by this quartet at their first visit to us in 2010, that we were determined to hear them again. The quartet was formed in 1998, and has won more awards than there is room to mention here, but you can look at their website at www.doricstringquartet.com and read about their outstanding achievements – perhaps you’ll remember them when you see their photo page. They will play Britten’s Quartet no 2, along with Haydn’s op.76 no. 4 and Schubert’s G major D887.
Monday 17th March 2014 Ensemble 360 Piano Quartet
Some of you may remember the pianist Tim Horton, who played for us once with violinist Lucy Jeal. Tim also came with the Galliard Quintet some years ago. He is an incredible pianist and his name should be up there with the greats of our time. Now he is part of Ensemble 360, the resident musicians at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield where they are highly acclaimed for their concerts, performing “in the round” – hence the 360 in their name. The other three in the quartet are Benjamin Nabarro, violin, Judith Busbridge, viola and Gemma Rosefield, cello. This will certainly be a memorable evening to round off our season.