22 February: Divertimento String Quartet

We are delighted to welcome back the Divertimento String Quartet who last performed at Calstock Arts in 2023. Based in Devon, the quartet is one of South West England’s foremost string quartets, with a large following for their regular concert series. The afternoon concert will include: Fritz Kreisler’s String Quartet in A minor and Schumann’s String Quartet in A.  

Acclaimed for giving performances of such polished professionalism combined with a real sense of intimacy and pleasure, one of the many good reasons for attending their concerts is the careful and interesting choice of programming. Their pleasure and enjoyment in playing communicates immediately with their audience –  the attentive listening to each other, the way individual instruments shine out where necessary and blend, support and work together throughout all add to the richness of the music. For pieces both familiar and unfamiliar the players introduce the music so that the listening is enhanced by entertaining explanations and/or short extracts.

 ‘If anyone has a friend who might be interested in chamber music but feels a bit intimidated by it, Divertimento is the ideal group to take them to; they’ll hook them in gently and with the utmost charm, and open up a whole new world of delight!’  Come along and bring a friend!

Here is a taster: https://youtu.be/Sx9697Jph1o?si=DfkvS0onKst9nNSt

Mary Eade (violin) studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School before student life took her to Freiburg, Germany, later returning to the Royal College of Music, London. She gave her Wigmore Hall debut in 1975 and has played many concertos most notably with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, London Festival Orchestra, Tallis Chamber Orchestra.

Lindsay Braga (violin) studied at the Royal Northern College of Music with Richard Deakin and Wen Zu Li. Since then she has worked with many orchestras including: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, English National Ballet, Goldberg Ensemble, Manchester Camerata.

Andrew Gillett (viola) studied at the Royal College of Music and the Hochschule für Musik in Frankfurt, Germany. In demand as a freelance chamber and orchestral musician, his musical interests are diverse – baroque, contemporary and all things in between, – sometimes he’s found at ceilidhs, playing fiddle long into the night.

Vicky Evans (cello) early studies were at the Royal College of Music Junior Department and then at the Purcell School before continuing her training at Dartington College of Arts. She has a busy career as a freelance musician – as a cello continuo player and chamber musician, and as manager of several chamber ensembles and orchestras, and Director of Divertimento Entertainments.

PROGRAMME:

J.P Rameau – Chaconne from Castor and Pollux Suite
Fritz Kreisler String Quartet in A minor
Robert Schumann String Quartet in A, Op 41 no 3

Rameau’s Chaconne from Castor et Pollux is from his opera where
characters wrestle with fate, love, and moral dilemmas. Rameau’s music
elevates these conflicts into a realm of expressive sophistication,
making this opera a cornerstone of 18th-century French music.

Although overshadowed by Kreisler’s fame as a virtuoso and his
popular salon pieces, his string quartet is a substantial and rewarding
work. It combines melodic charm with structural sophistication, offering
performers and listeners a glimpse of Kreisler’s depth as a composer
beyond the encore repertoire.

Schumann’s String Quartet in A was composed in 1842, which was known as
Schumann’s “chamber music year,” during which he composed three
string quartets, a piano quartet, and the celebrated piano quintet.
After years devoted to piano works and songs, Schumann immersed himself
in the quartets of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, determined to master
the genre. The Op. 41 quartets were written in just five weeks and
dedicated to Felix Mendelssohn.