Endellion String Quartet

Haydn’s great ‘Sunrise’ is part of his wonderful Op 76 set … the apogee of his composing career. Tippett’s wonderfully inventive second quartet draws heavily on English Renaissance polyphony with vivacious cross rhythms and melodies constantly refreshing themselves. The slow movement is a dirge conceived in response to Neville Chamberlain’s notorious ‘piece of paper’ in 1938. Brahms destroyed numerous quartets before he was satisfied they would stand comparison with Beethoven’s and this one in C minor is the first of his three masterworks. Full of drive and energy, it nevertheless has a most tender love song as its slow movement.

‘Captivates concertgoers with a remarkable rapport, playing to each other with a sense almost of discovery, communicating to the audience on a level of unusual intimacy’ - Guardian

‘A beautifully wrought set of Britten’s quartets … The Endellion is a seasoned ensemble with a clear, holistic vision … dazzling performance of the Divertimenti … compelling tension, depth and quietude … boyish wit … thrillingly virtuosic … intensely sweet tone … fantastically resonant … penetrating vigour … enormously moving’ – ‘Music Chamber Choice’, BBC Music Magazine

Further concerts by Endellion String Quartet in this series (booking open now for all three) are on Wednesday, 11 October 2017, and Friday, 2 February 2018