String Quartets

Performing again in the beautiful surroundings and vibrant acoustic of St Marie's Cathedral, members of the West Riding Ensemble bring three iconic chamber works to life in this concert of string quartets. Join the players afterwards for drinks and cakes.

The key of C minor links two of the works, Beethoven employing it in typically stormy heroism in the fourth of his opus 18 quartets, whilst Shostakovich's 'Dresden' quartet (no 8) - often thought to be autobiographical - perhaps embodies more of the tragic than the heroic.

Dvořák's 'American' quartet brings a lighter mood, reflecting the freedom the composer felt when visiting a Czech community in Iowa.

All three works draw on 'folk' or indigenous tunes and influences.

Programme

BEETHOVEN: quartet in C minor, op.18 no 4
SHOSTAKOVICH: quartet no 8 in C minor, op.110
DVORAK: quartet no 12 in F major, op. 96 ‘American’

Performers

Maria Nikolaeva & David Milsom: violin
Charlotte Kenyon: viola
George Kennaway: cello