Chamber Concerts 2011-2012 Season

London Haydn Quartet

Wednesday 2nd November 2011 at 8pm
Cheltenham Pump Room

Artist's Website: London Haydn Quartet

• Schubert - Quartet in E flat D.87
• Haydn - Quartet in E flat op.33 no.2
• Beethoven - Quartet in B flat op.18 no.6

The London Haydn Quartet is rapidly developing a reputation as one of the most innovative and exciting quartets around. They specialise in Haydn, playing with classical bows and gut strings. “Gut strings sometimes mean sour intonation, but not with this superb British group. Formed out of love for Haydn, they explore his repertoire with a light touch and kaleidoscopic colours.” The Times.

Njabulo Madlala (baritone) and James Baillieu (piano)

songs by:

• Duparc, Mahler, Vaughan Williams, Schumann and Strauss plus South African songs

Njabulo Madlala won First Prize at the 2010 Kathleen Ferrier Competition, marking a remarkable journey from the township outside Durban where he was born. Possessed of a rich voice and a warm personality, his recital promises to be a real treat. Pianist James Baillieu makes a welcome return. "That moment of rapt silence and attention, when an audience is entirely transfixed by a musician’s artistry, is rare at the best of times - let alone in the middle of a competition. But it happened .. when the South African baritone, Njabulo Madlala, riveted every listener in the hall with his musical storytelling.” The Times.

This concert is given with the support of the Ferrier Trust

Takacs Quartet

Tuesday 24th January 2012 at 8pm
Cheltenham Pump Room

Artist's Website: Takacs Quartet

• Haydn - Quartet in D op.64 no.5 ‘The Lark’
• Britten - Quartet no.3 op.94
• Dvorak - Quartet in E flat op.51

It is no exaggeration to describe the Takacs as one of the very best quartets in the world today. We are immensely privileged to welcome them back to Cheltenham. “This is chamber-music playing of overwhelming intensity, insight and intelligence, simply the best I have ever heard in concert.” The Guardian

Martinu Quartet

• Mozart - Quartet in F K590
• Beethoven - Quartet in F op.135
• Smetana - Quartet no.1 in E minor ‘From my life’

The Martinu Quartet adopted the composer’s name in 1985 and won many European competitions including the Portsmouth Competition, establishing a global reputation. They have toured the UK every year since 1998, though this is their first concert for the Society. “This group belongs to the great tradition of Czech string ensembles, the playing is a joy from start to finish.” Classics Today

Chaconne Brass

Thursday 8th March 2012 at 8pm
Cheltenham Pump Room

Artist's Website: Chaconne Brass

• Richard Baker - Keck
• Boyce arr Mark Kesel - Symphony no.1
• Eccles arr Simon de Souza - Horn Sonata
• Andreas Peer Kähler - Maria - Ein Tryptichon
• Malcolm Arnold - Quintet for Brass op.73
• Vagn Holmboe - Quintet no.1 op.79
• Torbjörn Hultmark - An Iberian Draft (after Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez)
• Mark Kesel - Nachna
• Handel - Hornpipe from Water Music
• Gershwin arr Torbjörn Hultmark - Summertime
• Jerome Kern arr Karen Street - The way you look tonight

The versatile Chaconne Brass combine creativity and excellent musicianship in a unique stye that has a wide appeal and is invariably enthusiastically received. Add the colour and fascination of the quintet repertoire to the mix and a refreshingly different evening beckons. Do try it! “Chaconne Brass continue to stretch the possibilities of the brass quintet with a broad, inventive programme.” The Independent

Exaudi (vocal ensemble)

Music Divine

• Tomkins - Music Divine; Too much I once lamented
• Ward - Retire, my troubled soul; Come, sable night
• Byrd - This sweet and merry month of May; Lullaby
• Wilbye - The Lady Oriana
• Weelkes - As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending
• Weir - Love bade me welcome
• Fox - A Spousal Verse; Hanging line and Babel
• Skempton - He wishes for the cloths of heaven; Rise up, my love
• Finnissy - Now; Kiss me as if
• Weeks - Two Rilke settings

The stunning vocal ensemble Exaudi perform a recital of madrigals old and new: the grace of Wilbye, the gravity of Byrd, the passion of Tomkins, the wit of Weelkes, and new works, some specially composed for Exaudi, by contemporary British composers. “One of the most sensationally gifted vocal groups performing in the UK at the moment” The Gramophone

Dante Quartet

• Schubert - Quartettsatz in C minor D.703
• Britten - Quartet no.2 in C op.36
• Schubert - Quartet in G D.887

Our series closes with the most welcome return of one of the finest British quartets bringing their trademark emotional sensitivity and imaginative playing to the contrasting intensity of Britten and lyricism of Schubert. “Playing of spellbinding atmosphere” BBC Music Magazine

Contemporary Concerts 2011-2012 Season