Members’ Voices I’m not complaining, or wanting a return to the wind-up gramophone of my childhood. But I do find that the ubiquity of music, the ease of access, Drawn to Music My Story makes me less rather than more open to it. I want to be startled, and am harder to startle. There are pieces that I simply don’t want to hear, because Recently, Raphael Wallfisch gave Suddenly Like Nosebleeds Rosamunde Trio (L to R: Ben Sayevich, Martino Tirimo, Daniel Veis) there’s no startle left in them for me. I don’t want to be charmed; I don’t Ronald Stein permission to sketch him want to be thinking that some piece is amazing considering that the during a rehearsal for a LCMS concert. Ruth Valentine is a poet and long-time composer was only three, or had already written 20 quartets that week, or CHAMBER MUSIC NOTES Leon Levy asked Ronald to tell us attender at the Sunday-night concerts. Here was dying of a surfeit of lampreys. Or, to be less flippant, I don’t want to something about himself, his she reflects on the experience of listening to hear something I’ve worn out by over-listening. influences and his sketching career. music. In the past week, as well as hearing the Shostakovich, I took the decision Born in ’s Soho, I was The Shostakovich second piano trio to stop writing poetry, at least until I’m writing because I want to, not ISSUE 6 AUTUMN2012 drawing on the pavement outside my begins very quietly, the high notes of the because I always have, or because it’s become a civic duty, like recycling the parents’ shop aged three. Inside the like someone gasping for breath. I first newspaper. I’m not entirely sure what the connection is. I’ve written poetry TheLCMS shop I was serving customers such as heard it last year, in the LCMS series; I seriously since 1986, though with some barren periods. It may be that being Constant Lambert and Augustus John, remember holding my breath myself as the tetchy about both my own bad poems and other people’s un-startling music whose portrait of Madame Suggia fugue opened out. A few days later I was in is a symptom of age. I may be using both stopping writing and being fussy later influenced one of my cello the wonderful Harold Moore’s in Great about concerts as a paradoxical injunction: what you forbid yourself sketches. Another client was Horace de Vere Cole, Master Practical Marlborough Street, having the kind of becomes more tempting. Joker, whose only pupil I still am. Subsequently, I attended St. discussion you can have in very few music What has all this to do with LCMS? I hope for the Society’s sake that I’m Martins School of Art, where I was advised either to become a pupil shops now; and I came home with the CD Newsletter

photo: Garry Kennard photo: Garry not its typical member. I’m not a weekly attender. I never have been. At of Henry Moore, as my drawings were sculptural in nature, or to (the Kempf Trio). Conway Hall I turned up arbitrarily, when I’d decided to half an hour before, join his Studio, which I did, becoming his Personal Assistant. In fact I haven’t listened to it that often; it’s too painful for an ordinary or because I knew I’d meet friends, or once because I’d just that afternoon At the same time, having been influenced by the drawings of evening’s relaxation. But just three days ago, I heard the trio at Kings Place had a melodramatic break-up with a man in New Cross Gate. I loved the Raymond Kapp, who was sketching the LPO members, I started my Kolo Horst Photo: again, this time with the Shaham-Erez-Wallfisch Trio. Knowing already that a ramshackleness of Conway Hall, and the sense of the audience as the own part-time career, mainly recording musical activities in London The violinist Ben Sayevich launches very careful to make sure that the piece has an astonishing beginning means by definition that you can’t be (diminishing) Communist Party at prayer. I miss how readily I was in the 1940s. I sketched the two resident orchestras at the Chamber Music Notes’ new series in varnish is not damaged. astonished again, or not for the same reasons. This time I was far more overwhelmed by what I heard, just as I miss having poems come on me Cambridge Theatre, together with international soloists. I also which musicians talk about their Since my early studies, I realized I aware of the structure; there was the quite different pleasure of suddenly like nosebleeds. Welcome! attended rehearsals of their opera productions, with Carl Ebert instrument. LCMS looks forward to had an attraction and affinity to the understanding the workings. Kings Place is wonderful. Ideally the weather’s mild directing such stars as Mariano Stabile in ‘Falstaff’, and met a hearing Ben and the rest of the virtuosic repertoire, such as Paganini, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about live music, and recorded music, and enough for a stroll onto the terrace and a gaze at the The ’s stirring Shostakovich number of composers including Francis Poulenc, who compared Rosamunde Trio playing Concert 1 of Sarasate and Wieniawsky; however, I what I really want to hear. My first take on the question was: I want to be narrow-boats, as a kind of preparatory meditation. I like finale to our past season is still fresh in my notes with me about Indian ink. their complete Beethoven Piano Trio have also enjoyed with the passing surprised. In fact, I think that’s not the right word; what I want is to be rushing into the building just in time to get a bagel or mind as I introduce this latest issue of Chamber Besides all these riches, my mother’s cousin was Sidney Torch, startled out of my everyday attitude. So the first hearing of the Shostakovich series at Kings Place in November 2012. years music that displays a more some soup to sustain me till the 259 gets me home. Music Notes and contemplate what’s to come founder of the BBC Concert Orchestra. I sketched him and his trio counts, and so does the second; but after that? Did I choose the violin, or did it sensitive and profound depth, what I There are usually friends (the same Conway Hall friends) to Queens Hall Light Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, with famous In February 1927, Virginia Woolf, a great lover of music, wrote in in the autumn. choose me? My parents took me to hear find in Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, catch up with. And then the somehow calming sight of players, such as Dennis Brain, in his orchestral line-up. her journal: As always, Peter Fribbins, our Artistic David Oistrakh when I was just six years Brahms, Berg, and Stravinsky. In other the wood panelling; the smell of the wood; the faint I also sketched the LSO at rehearsals at the Royal Albert Hall. I Director, sets the scene in ‘Behind the Notes’ old. He played the Khachaturian words, I have very catholic tastes, and How we protect ourselves from the elements! Coming back last night I sounds of tuning up from back-stage; the always attended the broadcasts of the BBC Concert Orchestra, sketching with highlights of the programme. It will include Concerto, and after the concert I was it is difficult to single out individual thought, owing to civilisation, I, who am now cold, wet & hungry, can be enigmatic sight of apparently ordinary people, though in

many famous soloists, including Bryn Turfel, Julian Lloyd-Webber, Kennard illustration: Garry Cover sleepless for three nights. The sound pieces. But I can say that as I grow warm & satisfied & listening to a Mozart 4tet in 15 minutes. And so I was. posh clothes, coming in holding their instruments in that the Rosamunde Trio, whose violinist Ben Juan Diego Flóres, Andrea Bocelli and Arturo Pizarro. I have been kept resonating in my ears, and older, music of this kind of subtlety Few of us now would have her grateful astonishment. And as for delicate, casual way. A pause; the thin, high, strange notes of a cello…. Sayevich has contributed a thoughtful article given a special Gallery section of the BBC Concert Orchestra eventually I asked my father, who was a and sophistication—music that does Shostakovich, finishing his trio in 1944: he would have been – what? launching a Chamber Music Notes series on Supporters’ Club website, which is filled with many of my sketches. dance choreographer, to take me to a not only curry immediate favour with astonished? pleased? appalled? – to learn how easily and how often we can Ruth Valentine’s book of poetry ‘On the Saltmarsh’ will be published in musicians and their instruments. Musical At the BBC Maida Vale Studios, I sketched the BBC Symphony music school where I could study the the public—has a greater and lasting hear it now. October 2012 (Smokestack Books). instruments feature in another article. In the Orchestra and leading artists such as Kiri te Kanawa. violin. There were other musicians in value to me. latest ‘Leon Levy Meets…’ series, Sarah-Jane I was commissioned to record the rehearsal of the LSO with the family. My older brother was a jazz The important thing is that music— 300-strong choir and soloists in Berlioz ‘Grande Messe des Morts‘ research into the heritage of musical types: Arnold Schoenberg’s ‘Pierrot’ Bradley reveals her love for her George pianist, and I had tried to imitate his particularly music played by the violin— Hannant photo: Sarah at St. Paul’s Cathedral by my friend Jan Pascal Tortelier, whose tunes on the piano. But after the is a universal expression, whether it Illuminating Notes ensemble and John Field’s invention of the nocturne, for example.) Adolph Chanot . father I sketched in 1948 on his 34th Oistrakh concert, that all changed. originates from folk traditions or, more I try to strike a balance between these areas. Naturally, it’s easier to A number of items in this issue illustrate a link between music and other arts. birthday. The Choirmaster of Magdalen The school, Churlionis Art School specifically, kletzmer traditions. It’s been my privilege to write the concert programme achieve this with some works than others. Indeed, at the earliest stage of Composer Simon Holt, whose ‘Two movements for the ’ we heard in College, Oxford, Bill Ives, also and Performing Arts, was located in I am fortunate to enjoy many notes for LCMS since they were introduced in 2008/09. research, the availability of recordings and even scores is not always March, is inspired by literature and, potentially, ‘everything I come across’! Chris commissioned me to sketch the choir from Vilnius, in Lithuania (then part of the special memories of my performances. Not only do I get to write about the classics of the guaranteed, despite the marvels of Naxos Music Library, Oxford Music Bradshaw considers a recent book, ‘Music for Silenced Voices’, one writer’s response the organ loft. Soviet Union). It was the only One in particular stands out. In 1985 in Online, and a certain rainforest-themed e-retailer. At other times, the From a long list of choirs, orchestras chamber repertory, but I also discover lesser-known to Shostakovich’s string quartets. And Chris’ article is illuminated by the artist Adam professional training school in the arts Boston with the New England gems I wouldn’t otherwise think to seek out. challenge is instead to sift through, and dare not to be overwhelmed by, Birtwistle’s portrait of Shostakovich, a haunting presence when it was projected and soloists I have also sketched in Lithuania, and very competitive. I was Conservatory Orchestra I performed the Piatigorsky, Segovia, Ginnette Neveau, Looking back over the past four seasons (and the the wealth of scholarship that already exists. onto the wall of Hall One during the Brodsky Quartet’s performances. In ‘Drawn to only seven years old. The curriculum Berg Concerto. It was a special event, 359 works for which I’ve written notes), I’m particularly Surprisingly, perhaps, only one concertgoer has ever taken me to Albert Coates, Isaac Stern, Barry embraced a wide spectrum of the arts since it was part of the Alban Berg Music’ Ronald Stein describes his passion for sketching performing musicians. glad to have encountered several pieces and task—an avid fan of Schubert whose knowledge of the prolific Austrian Wordsworth (who has my sketch of him and and sciences, so I had to study Centennial. I studied it for that event, Of course, there are other gems to be found here, such as an interview with Arturo Pizarro on his office wall in the far exceeded mine (I welcome such correspondence). Looking ahead to mathematics and literature, as well as under the recommendation and tutelage composers: the beautiful if challenging music of Wolfgang Rihm; Grace Robin Ashwell, violist of the ; a member’s reflections on the ROH), and recently, Lang Lang (at a Stein Ronald Sketch: Wallfisch. Raphael future seasons, I’m hopeful for the programming of further Shostakovich all musical subjects, including the of Louis Krasner, who was the Rossiter’s mesmeric setting of ‘The Angel Gabriel’; Leo Brouwer’s Afro- experience of listening to music; an informative piece by the author of our concert masterclass) and Alfred Brendel (at a lecture/recital), plus, of history of instruments and their dedicatee of the work (and the first Cuban-tinged ‘Guitar Quintet’; George Antheil’s Third String Quartet; and quartets (after this season’s marvelous Beethoven/Shostakovich cycle), programme notes; and introductions to two fascinating members of the LCMS/ course, various LCMS artists at Kings Place. performance. My supervisor demanded to perform it publicly). any of Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s chamber arrangements of the any of the quartets of Beethoven, Haydn, Dvor˘ák and Bartók I haven’t I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to sketch all Kings Place community. that I spend several hours of each As an educator at several symphonies of Mozart and Beethoven. It’s an eclectic list, thanks to the yet written about, or the reoccurrence of composers I’d probably count these superb artistes, but I sometimes need two or three sessions Finally, I am delighted to call attention to a momentous milestone: this year morning in practice. Woe to anyone institutions, including the University of Society’s enterprising artistic direction and, of course, the ensembles that among my favourites: Chopin, Paul Hindemith, Schoenberg and to get a person’s movements and expressions ‘right’. I find marks the 40th anniversary of the Chilingirian Quartet. Levon Chilingirian, our LCMS who shirked that responsibility! Kansas and, at present, Park University, perform for it each week. Peter Maxwell Davies. violinists are usually the most difficult, as they tend to move all President, and Philip de Groote, cello, are the original founder members, and are I played a quarter-size violin until I have found many challenges in over the place, and I have to build up a position that I think is For me, the best programme note illuminates a work’s structure so it the age of 13 or so, when I took up a cultivating the students’ general feeling joined by Ronald Birks, violin, and Susie Mészáros, viola. Together they have most representative of that particular performer. can be followed on the first listen. I also like to learn something, be it Dr. Christopher Dromey full-size instrument. I have played many of music and, at the same time, thrilled and entertained us with their vibrant interpretations of both the traditional I would still like to sketch Lang Lang actually playing. Having some insight into what else the composer was doing at the time or Senior Lecturer in Music, Middlesex University, whose most recent book violins since then, but only now at the respecting and encouraging their repertoire and less-heard pieces, and have introduced us to completely new works sketched Isaac Stern, I would like to add Itzhak Perlman or Pinchas another anecdotal detail from their biography. The genre or medium of ‘The Pierrot Ensembles: Chronicle and Catalogue, 1912-2012’ will be age of 52 have I found a perfect match individual expression—both in by new composers. Apart from playing in concert halls around the world they are Zukerman to my ‘collection’. I am still haunted by not having taken the piece being performed nearly always merits some attention, too. (This published by Plumbago later this year. for me. I have been very finicky, but I performance and in their conceptualising the opportunity of sketching Sir Malcolm Sargent and Sir Clifford third aspect is something of a fixation of mine, being related to my the Quartet in Residence at the Royal College of Music, and also coach young Curzon at the Royal Albert Hall. I seem to remember that Curzon found my Carlo Giuseppe Antonio the music. I emphasise and encourage players through their connection with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra in was humming to himself off-key, and that might have put me off. Testore, dating from 1697, Milano, in them to study chamber music as a Venezuela, pioneers of the El Sistema programme. Warm congratulations! Chicago just within the last year. crucial element in their journey toward a (ADVERTISEMENT) Purchasing it demanded a great well-rounded career. I like to think that Neil Johnson sacrifice, but it is now indispensable to my own participation in chamber music me. It produces a wonderful palette of playing serves as an example to them. Executive Chairman sounds whose variability best matches Although I do both, I have found in the

my own imagination. It is my partner in last few years more opportunities for Chris Nottingham Photo: Quartet. Piano Frith music. I have it with me now, and I chamber rather than solo performance. would not part with it. It makes great In conclusion, I recall something my demands on me, and I have to mother once told me, which I have constantly adjust the sound post and never forgotten. “Only the violin,” she the bridge according to the weather and said, “of all the instruments, can shed a

Allegri Quartet. Sketch: Ronald Stein Ronald Sketch: . humidity conditions. This requires my tear. It can sigh like an angel, or it can attention every day. The resin from the rage like a demon—all within the space 5 strings accumulates, and I have to be of a few seconds.” 6 Chamber Music Notes Editorial Group: Chris Bradshaw, Leon Levy, Jane Sufian (editor), Walter Rudeloff Photo A Lonely But Essential Place Leon Levy Meets Sarah-Jane Bradley Books Chris Bradshaw Talks to Robin Ashwell Getting to Know You Simon Holt’s ‘Two movements for background of her recording of Arthur ‘Music for Silenced Voices: Shostakovich and His Fifteen In January this year LCMS’s first concert of 2012 was given by the Sacconi Quartet—Ben Hancox Introducing members of the LCMS/ Benjamin’s ‘Elegy, Waltz and Toccata’ for string quartet’ was played by the Quartets’ by Wendy Lesser. Yale University Press. (violin), Hannah Dawson (violin), Robin Ashwell (viola) and Cara Berridge (cello)—playing viola and orchestra, which was composed Kings Place community. Tippett Quartet in an LCMS concert on Haydn’s ‘Lobkowitz’ quartet, Bartok’s Quartet No. 3 and Schubert’s ‘Death and the Maiden’ in 1945 and reflects the dark days of the Chris Bradshaw has read an ‘absorbing’ book about the 11 March 2012. Walter Rudeloff quartet. This wonderful programme heralded the anniversary of their tenth year playing war. composer’s life and quartets. Chamber Music Notes together (their first concert was in January 2002), and we want to congratulate them on this Emrah Tokalac questions Simon about his influences She is not drawn to avant-garde invites readers to send us their own responses to books milestone. I personally remember them playing at the RCM in the early years and wondering, Marketing Manager, KPMF and inspirations and his feelings music, which she finds too undisciplined, With a BA in Management, diploma in about music. somewhat expectantly, what their future might be… and here they are. Congratulations! about composing chamber music. preferring a more lyrical approach and to voice training (baritone), MA in work within boundaries set by the I don’t normally read experience for performers planet, and he always Musicology, and five years’ experience composer. This enables her to identify as an advertising account executive Photo: Andrzej Urbaniak much about music – reviews and audience members unlocks us and lifts our with the intentions of the composer and and articles maybe and of alike. Creating both the performance.” and copywriter, Emrah Tokalac left his Walter Rudeloff As a starter, what you are fond of or that have been communicate them to the audience. hometown, Istanbul, in 2004 for course our excellent LCMS festival and our own record Musicians spend vast would you say have been the major influential? We discussed the different venues she further studies in the UK. His research programme notes, but in label are two of the things amounts of time in influences that played a part in SH I have quite a few yardsticks as has played in. The important thing is to general I prefer to listen to it. on the solo songs of Finnish composer respond to the environment of a particular I am most proud of.” rehearsal to reach the high your becoming a composer? regards quality control more than However, I was introduced last Jean Sibelius resulted in a Ph.D. in concert hall and perhaps take more risks, Looking back over their standard expected in Musicology in 2010. Simon Holt I always find this very influence. Xenakis and Feldman are year to an absorbing book which leads to a more exciting ten years the Quartet can international venues, and Aiming for a career change, Emrah joined Kings Place as Print that perhaps will prompt me difficult to answer as I feel that important figures, but I doubt that performance. She is a great fan of Kings identify some significant the Sacconi are also Assistant in 2009, following an internship in the marketing to branch out further! whatever I come across has some what I do sounds in any way like Place. The artists’ facilities are excellent landmarks, but one generous with their time department, and was promoted to Marketing Executive, and This book, about kind of influence on me. I’m too them. I also think of Giacometti but it is the hall itself which attracts her particular concert stands given to education work, then recently to Marketing Manager. Coordination of the LCMS Shostakovich and his quartets, most with the caveat that the clear ADAM BIRTWISTLE (b.1959) out for them – a 2011 workshops, and schools programme handbills and seasonal leaflets are two of Emrah’s

sponge-like in many ways and too when I’m worrying if something is Huish photo: Claire ties in well with the Brodsky Shostakovich, 2012 acoustic can sometimes be disconnecting concert at Westminster and family concerts. The many responsibilities, seeing him liaise with the LCMS easily seduced by all areas of the good enough. He aimed Quartet series earlier this (Tempera and gouache on linen After my recent excursions to the wilds of for string players. School with Quartet meets four to five administrative team on a regular basis. arts. I spend long periods really spectacularly high, and I try to, but season: ‘The Musical Diaries of paper 120 x 110 cm) Behind the Notes South London, I ventured due north to I asked about her interests outside (cello) performing Schubert days a week to rehearse Although art song is his favourite genre in music, when it questioning what I’m getting myself feel like an ant in comparison, as if Shostakovich’.* His widow South Mimms to interview Sarah-Jane the viola, and Richard Strauss operas was written at his summer dacha ‘Quartett-Statz’, Beethoven and perform, usually comes to performance, Emrah prefers choral music. He has into when it comes to new ideas. I’m playing at it, whereas he truly thought of the quartets as Our 2012/13 series, the fifth in our new venue of Kings Bradley, viola player par excellence. an immediate reply. Also, a love of (supplied by Stalin), is an first Rasumovsky and rehearsing together in the been a singing member of the Royal Choral Society since Shostakovich’s diary entries, Place (where does the time go?), opens on October 7 with Certainly studying art at school lived his work in a very profound Sarah-Jane was born in Bristol into an languages, especially French, and of ambitious five-movement Schubert Quintet. In afternoon and practising 2005, and since 2007 also serves as a Director on the reflecting the historical, Executive Board. the wonderful Emperor Quartet performing Haydn and (musically speaking, I only studied way. Aiming for the stars is a eminent and cultured family of course her two young children (both work, and probably does addition, there have been individually in the morning. political, artistic and personal For Emrah, studying has always been something to cherish, and Britten, and also Schubert’s dramatic ‘Death and the the organ at school, but with an prerequisite for anybody thinking Polish/Russian/Jewish origins. Her musical) take up much of her time. She reflect his stability at the time; nearly 20 world and UK When the concert diary is grandfather was a psychiatrist who events of his life. nowadays he fills in the gap by learning Italian and supporting Maiden’ quartet. Other quartets in the autumn include the inspirational teacher, Norman about writing music; otherwise, also likes old-fashioned chivalry in a man. but No.6, written after his In a recent premieres over their ten busy, it is hard to fit in pioneered group therapy and was known A busy life certainly, such that practising Lesser tracks the his wife in further studies in history. He enjoys Nordic music, Allegri Quartet in the penultimate concert of their epic Harper, who had been a student of what’s the point? beloved Nina died, has an conversation with Robin I years, most recently by enough time together and as an authority on Wagner. Although he and learning new works have sometimes biography of Shostakovich and unexpected, certain playful, maps and atlases, European city breaks (when he’s got the Gillian Weir’s. I did neither ‘O’ nor asked him what plans the John McCabe, Paul individually, but they feel survey of the Beethoven and Shostakovich quartets – WR The Tippett Quartet has died when she was 12, he provided her become a small-hours occupation. shows us how these events hopeful quality, which perhaps time and the resources), and, last but not least, culinary Quartet had for their Patterson, Timothy Salter they have a good balance preceded by another of Robert Hanson’s invaluable pre- ‘A’ level music) was a major, premiered some pieces by you? with her first contacts with music, and she And what about dislikes? may have impacted on this doesn’t match his activities as a true Mediterranean. Come and say “Merhaba!”* anniversary year. “We’re and Stephen Deazley. between concerts and concert talks, illustrated live by the quartet – and the enriching and focusing period in my SH No, they haven’t actually has inherited his collection of records. Confrontation figures high on her list, as amazing body of work, the 15 bereavement. Lesser suggests if you spot him in the concert foyer on a Sunday. performing the programme The Sacconi’s Wigmore rehearsal/practice time. *”Hello!” Carducci Quartet, who feature Malcolm Lipkin’s impressive early life. I have always listened to She moved at an early age to London, does snobbishness, which she has often string quartets, written that No. 8 is the least premiered anything ...yet. But, they that we performed for debut was in 2004, when And Robin at least is a ‘Variations on a theme of Bartók’ to celebrate Malcolm’s as much music from all areas of where her father was a senior lecturer in come across in the world of music. She between 1938 and 1970. Each autobiographical of the have picked up on the ‘Two LCMS throughout the year. they performed Bartók’s Lake District walker to off- 80th birthday this year. musical life as I could possibly get physiology. Her mother was a has no time for pure effect or showiness quartet is dealt with quartets; yet Shostakovich Helen Jones movements for string quartet’ and, schoolteacher—first of languages and then in performance. The performer’s job is to individually and This encapsulates three first quartet. Robin set all those notes! We also have some quartets ‘plus one’: the Barbirolli my hands on. called it a “memorial to Front of House Team, Kings Place in many ways, made the piece piano. Her home was always full of music, interpret and communicate the music to chronologically against a pillars of the quartet remembers the full house Having just read a You can often see Helen Jones Quartet return after their marvelous premiere in the LCMS himself.” WR Have literary influences been of their own. and when she was seven she started to the listener without self-indulgence and to backdrop of his life at the repertoire, three pieces that and electric atmosphere, book about another, much working on the doors to Hall One on a series last year, this time joined by clarinetist Janet Hilton It is difficult to appreciate more importance in your chamber WR Could you say anything about play the piano and dreamed of becoming draw the audience in. time of composition and fully the restrictions under are particularly special to and likens it to the older quartet, I was Sunday night. She particularly enjoys in a programme of clarinet quintets. In addition, the a concert pianist. The violin followed a works? their style or character that you She acquired her current instrument in performance. which Shostakovich wrote, us. We have always dynamic feel of the LCMS interested in how a working at the LCMS concerts because year later; and at the age of 12, Sarah-Jane Chilingirian Quartet continue their Romantic piano quintet SH Mostly, yes, but I’m open to all 1993. Made by the English luthier George Life during this with concerts cancelled by the enjoyed performing Haydn concert this year. Indeed, younger ensemble solves the regular customers are so friendly take into account when composing met her future viola teacher John White at Adolph Chanot in 1896, it follows in the series, on this occasion with famous French pianist composition period covered authorities, new works shelved – he is so witty and Kings Place and Wigmore difference of interpretation: and for the very high standard of the kinds of possibilities and will take a quartet? a county music course, and switched to French tradition and is modelled on Philippe Cassard in the sublime César Franck quintet, pivotal moments and as being too unconventional, inventive, and there are Hall are the Quartet’s “All ideas must be tried performances that LCMS always brings ‘inspiration’ from wherever I can get the viola, together with piano and Ruggerius. She fell in love with it in a programme that also includes Hugh Wood’s SH In fact, I wrote the piece for the movements in Russia – the and frequent domestic surprises around every turn favourite performing out, with conviction, by the to Kings Place. Helen has it. Everything I come across has composition. immediately, and she prefers it to the occasionally become a member of the , and it was Stalinist regime, the hardships. Lesser depicts this of phrase. Bartók’s string venues. “Each has a group. After that, it is a intriguingly named ‘Quartet No. 0’ – an early work from some kind of potential, and I feel Why the viola? The simple answer is smaller Amati instrument that was lent to audience on the odd night off from work. premiered in Cheltenham at the restrictions of work and travel, background very well. The quartets have always vibrant and warm sound case of deciding what the 1950s that he has recently re-worked and added to that her school orchestra needed a viola her two years ago. The Chanot has a big Helen enjoys a wide variety of music. Her love of classical that it’s only through lack of festival there when Michael the fear of detention, the authorities were prying, and spoken to us on a very that lifts our spirits as works best and what we his quartet oeuvre. player, and this enabled her to discover stop and a dark quality and variable began at a very early age, when her parents took her to see a imagination that it can go obligation to follow the party intercepted letters and deep level. And Schubert’s performers, which then think is closest to the Our autumn also Berkeley was the artistic director. what she considers to be the deeper and temperament, which bring it alive and add memorable production of ‘The Magic Flute’ at Ilford Town Hall. unnoticed. So eyes and ears open line. Shostakovich’s health meetings. Shostakovich’s ‘Death and the Maiden’ is feeds back into the composer’s intentions. includes three international He was a great support to me more mellow sound of that instrument. to its attraction. She has children herself and believes that youngsters will at all times, please; you might also fluctuated, and in later sense of humour, sometimes the ultimate all-powerful performance itself. We Sometimes you have to be piano trios, beginning with during his tenure. I just wrote the Also, she was attracted by the novelty I took the plunge and mentioned viola years he was virtually enjoy, understand and empathise more with music if they are miss a trick! factor: as no one else was playing it at labelled ‘ironic’, means that piece of writing for any have performed in the prepared to accept things given the chance to attend age-appropriate performances and the excellent Rosamunde piece I had to write. I was very jokes, but Sarah-Jane was unperturbed. It bedridden for lengthy periods. school, it had the appeal of being “a bit appears that in Mozart’s day, the violin musical jokes and puns were genre.” Brahms-Saal in Vienna’s in a different way to how recitals with their families. WR In the case of the ‘Two much enthralled by Emily He seems to have been Trio on November 11, who different”. She found playing with the was the top-notch instrument at court and occasionally included in his The Quartet also has a Musikverein, and also the you would interpret them Helen belongs to a Friends association that supports the movements for string quartet’, Dickinson’s poetry at that time, and something of a maverick, a are starting what is likely to National Youth Orchestra at this stage of the viola a mere runner-up. Notable work, or he included musical well-established Sacconi Liceo de Cámara in Madrid yourself. However, we are Havering Music School, and most Saturday mornings she takes there was the poetry of Emily man of opposites: hated and be a memorable four- the piece became part of a large her career a very formative experience, composers who played the viola include coded references. In a sense, I Chamber Music Festival in and l’Auditori in Barcelona, always questioning our her youngest daughter for lessons there. The Saturday School loved in his country; a very concert series of Dickinson. Was the poem the basis cycle of pieces based on her work. and went on to study viola at the Royal Mozart (it was his favourite instrument!), feel it doesn’t matter if you Folkestone each year over all of which were superb. interpretations and the currently has about 320 pupils, and Havering Music Services v private person living a very of inspiration for this composition? WR By way of contrast with other Academy of Music followed by two years Dvorák and Smetana, and her repertoire don’t recognise the musical a long weekend in May, Holywell Music Room in musical decisions we have teach music to about 3,500 children across the borough. In Beethoven’s piano trios. On public life; music that pleased tour from Austria, the SH Without any doubt at all, yes. It genres, what does chamber music in Salzburg with Thomas Riebl. and discography attest to the fact that it is quotations and allusions but forming a central part of Oxford is incredibly special, taken, so even if a decision 2011 at least nine students from the music school went on to many but was largely just for just respond to the music. The study music full time at universities and conservatoires. Vienna Mozart Trio will was never far away from my side mean for you as a composer? Her first entry into the commercial by no means neglected, especially these their season. This year it and the new concert hall at goes against your world came in 1992 with the Leopold days, by composers and performers alike. himself. His symphonies and biographical details will then promises to be a focal part Sevenoaks School is preference one day, it may Helen feels very strongly that more support should be available perform Schubert’s heavenly when writing the piece. If I got operas were often influenced SH It’s a place where I can String Trio, and her career took off with It is not to be underestimated, and in complete the picture at a later of the anniversary spectacular.” have swung back to yours for children from all backgrounds who show an interest in stuck, I would return to it, always by Soviet government Eb trio, and in December the impressive Sitkovetsky Piano completely be my private self. It’s a tours to Europe, the USA and South Sarah-Jane’s hands it certainly holds its date, adding depth to one’s celebration. As Robin The Quartet’s first a week later.” learning to play an instrument: it goes a long way to enhancing trying to find a clue as to where demands, but his quartets Trio return to the LCMS with a programme of Mozart, lonely place in many ways, but an America. She then joined another all- own. appreciation. describes: “We get to lessons were with the Of favourite composers, their education across the curriculum and, more important, the v went largely unnoticed. love of music stays with them throughout their lives. Brahms and Dvorák’s mighty F minor trio. to go next. essential place to nurture ideas and female group, the Sorrel Quartet, and, as a South Mimms is an area blighted by Lesser mostly keeps her invite our favourite Chilingirian Quartet and Ani Beethoven is “the king” for Lesser investigates She believes that music should be for everyone. One of the Continuing the Russian theme, we are lucky to have WR Many of your pieces appear to experiment with the obsession of prize-winner at the Lionel Tertis viola motorway networks, but Sarah-Jane personal analysis of the musician colleagues to Schnarch at the RCM, and Robin, but Vaughan Shostakovich’s life through long-term ambitions of her Friends association is to bring the celebrated cellist Leonid Gorokhov (now based in have literary connections. Does competition, launched her solo career at Bradley’s house is a haven of culture, quartets rather apart from the perform with us, and in they also studied with the Williams is another firm the moment, whatever that may be. conversations with friends, classical ensembles to members of the community living in Hanover) and wonderful pianist Olga Vinokur (now based the reading of a poem (or other St. John’s, Smith Square. This was thoughtfulness, the practice and biography; yet it all their own right. The rest of , Simon choice, and the Sacconi WR Is it a medium for projecting followed by the and many enjoyment of music and of life in general, family and musicians, and places such as hospices and care homes. interweaves in a very readable the season is all planned Rowland-Jones and Paavo hope that the Second in New York) in a wide-ranging programme to include literary work) inform the impetus ideas, emotions, states of being, other concerts and recitals, notably in and I was happy to continue our interview through his life comes to the The opportunity to learn an instrument never arose for Helen format. around that weekend of Pohjola in Finland. Perhaps Quartet will be Rachmaninov’s Cello Sonata. for composition or is it more that other genres just cannot reach? Spain, where she became a firm favourite. beyond the allotted time. It was a great quartets. as a child, but she took up piano lessons in her 40s. She no We also welcome back the Frith Piano Quartet, whose concerts. We have a the greatest influence over programmed in the future. longer has lessons, but still tries to make time to play a little complicated? SH In a word, yes. I still find the Sarah-Jane is becoming increasingly pleasure to hear Sarah-Jane play at a Lesser warns of the *Adam Birtwistle produced the programme will include Mozart, Brahms’ passionate C well known as a pioneer of 20th- century recent LCMS concert. It was an even “search-for-meaning” trap, Shostakovich painting shown fantastic, lively audience, the last eight years has We look forward to that! every day. Although Helen is happy to play in the privacy of SH It can definitely be an impetus, orchestra relatively unwieldy, but minor Piano Quartet, and the beautiful ‘Four Lullabies’ by music and is passionate about British greater pleasure to talk to this vibrant whereby the music can be here—his latest in a line of who come down to been Gábor Takács-Nagy: Our best wishes to her home, she would rather leave the public performances to but I find the next step, the actual that is slowly changing for the Folkestone for the whole Robin describes him as Ben, Hannah, Robin and the amazingly talented musicians she sees on the stage at the British composer Matthew Taylor. composers. David Matthews has dedicated young musician, surely destined for a almost narrative or has to composer paintings—to mark (usually improvised) notes form the better, and I’m gaining in weekend, making it a really “one of the finest, most Cara for the next ten years Kings Place on Sunday nights. It’s going to be a great autumn of Sunday concerts. his viola concerto to her, ‘Winter great career. “mean” something. Letters, the Brodsky’s Shostakovich main impetus for the piece. confidence there, also. Very Remembered’; and part of our interview dedications and family series. Information on the social as well as musical creative musicians on the of music making. WR Could you say something about different place, but not without its was conducted against the atmospheric comments support many of artist is available from Robert Peter Fribbins, Artistic Director other composers or ‘schools’ that challenges. No challenge, no piece! her inferences, but I wondered Travers, Piano Nobile Gallery, 2 3 about a couple: No. 3, largely www.piano-nobile.com 4 London Chamber Music Society, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG. Tel: 020 7014 2813 Registered Charity No. 1075787 www.londonchambermusic.org.uk e:[email protected]