The Rasumovsky is very much looking forward to returning to Bracknell Arts Centre tomorrow and revisiting old friends to whom they will perform Shostakovitch, Frank Bridge, Mozart and Dvorak alongside pianist Michael Freyhan
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A return to Bracknell Arts Centre took place in March.The quartet performed the The Elgar Piano Quintet with pianist Michael Freyhan, Mendelssohn’s wonderful Eb quartet and somewhat unusually Mozart’s Adagio and Fugue usually performed by string orchestra. The quartet has just completed a new disk of works by Scottish composer James Friskin with support from the RVW Trust and a generous private benefactor and hopes to announce its release later this year.
We are very happy to welcome violist Robin Wedderburn to the quartet, and look forward to many concerts with him in the future. Do have a look at our biog page to find out more about Robin – better still come and here him perform with the quartet – you will not be disappointed.
After 50 years of playing with the quartet Christopher Wellington played his final concert in January to a packed auditorium in Ivy House, Golders Green which used to be the home of Anna Pavlova. Christopher will be much missed by the quartet and doubtless by many of you. He has not stopped playing but travelling such long distances on a regular basis was no longer really viable, we will happily pass on messages and contact details to his many supporters.
The Rasumovsky received acclaim for memorable performances in Swaledale Festival’s Shostakovitch series – here again mixing with the film world performing Shostakovitch’s 10th Quartet prior to a screening of Hamlet accompanied by Shostakovitch’s extra-ordinary score. In the same Festival the quartet also collaborated with David Gordon’s jazz group Respectable Groove in a concert which included a homage to Shostakovitch’s 4th Quartet.
The Rasumovsky Quartet’s most recently released recording, commissioned by the Alwyn Society, of the first three string quartets by Northampton composer William Alwyn (and his atmospheric sketches “Three Winter Poems”) continues to attract favourable attention. Alwyn was famous for hundreds of film scores including the score to ‘The Odd Man Out’ nevertheless he wrote several string quartets which beautifully represent his unique style and craftsmanship. Send us a quick note if you would like to purchase a copy of this CD – or are interested in adding this unusual and engaging repertoire to your Festival or concert promotion.
‘All the works on this recording are very satisfying. The playing, like the music, is exquisite.’
American Record Guide Jan/Feb 2007 | Rasumsovsky String Quartet William Alwyn CD
The quartet is well known for its performances of traditional quartet repertoire. They have recently performed some rather more rarely heard pieces including Arensky’s Quartet “A la memoire de P. Tchaikovsky” a very fine late romantic work and the 2nd Quartet of another Northampton composer Trevor Hold which includes a wonderful tribute to Rodgers and Hart. Continuing their exploration of British composers the quartet recently performed, at the Notre Dame University, (Piccadilly, London) works by Purcell, Elgar, Friskin and Britten. In the same vein Richard Holbrooke’s Clarinet Quintet was featured in the Quartet’s recent concert in Bridport which in turn led them to add the York Bowen Bass Clarinet Quintet to their repertoire.
Mozart String Quintets, Hummel’s extraordinary piano quintet version of his septet, Friskin’s two piano quintets and piano trio all contribute to what we hope is an enticing mix of repertoire. Many of you will know the Quartet’s popular narrated programmes of poetry and music exploring garden and Italian themes which was thankfully recorded with the wonderful late Jill Balcon.
Last Easter, The Rasumovsky, for the first time in its long history, performed Haydn’s Seven Last Words from the Cross op.51. A generous local benefactor in Uley, Gloucestershire enabled this performance as part of the St Giles’ Church Uley, Good Friday service. Beautiful meditations by the Rev. Diana Crook were read between each movement. This proved to be an extremely moving performance and one which the quartet will hope to repeat on future occasions.