The Barbirolli Quartet
Sponsored by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust
The Barbirolli Quartet is known for its diverse, prolific repertoire and dynamic approach to performance, in particular its 'exhilarating performances of Jánacek's String Quartets'.
The quartet has a keen interest in performing new music and in January 2008 made their Purcell Room debut as Park Lane Group Artists to critical acclaim. They regularly work in conjunction with new composers, presenting an annual programme of contemporary quartets and as an extension of this work they visit local schools to workshop student compositions. Future performances include 'Folk Music' by Joe Cutler and a new work by Emily Hall commissioned in 2008 by HHH concerts in Surrey.
The Barbirolli Quartet were selected for the prestigious 2008 Countess of Munster Musical Trust Recital Scheme and are 2008 Tunnell Trust winners. Between 2004 and 2007 the quartet were the 'Young Artists in Residence' at the University of Salford, involving regular performances in the Tuesday Midday Recitals at Peel Hall, and for the 07/08 season they were invited to return as 'Quartet in Residence'.
Engagements in 08/09 include their recent Wigmore Hall debut (April 2008), The Chelsea Festival, Cheltenham Music Festival, St David's Hall Cardiff, Manchester Mid-Day in Bridgewater Hall, St James's Piccadilly and St John's, Smith Square. The Barbirolli Quartet has collaborated with eminent pianists in an ongoing cycle of Piano Quintets, covering the major romantic works of Dvorak, Brahms and Schumann and this season they will also be joined by David Campbell and Timothy Orpen for performances of Mozart's Clarinet Quintet.