Lunchtime Concert - Spring Chamber Series

SOLEM QUARTET

FRI 1 APR / 13.05

Carne Trust Guest Artists

Amy Tress violin
William Newell violin
Stephen Upshaw viola
Stephanie Tress cello

Clara Schumann Three Romances, Op .22 (arr. Amy Tress)
I. Andante molto
II. Allegretto
III. Leidenschaftlich schnell

Robert Schumann Child Falling Asleep, Op. 15, No. 12 (arr. William Newell)

Felix Mendelssohn String Quartet No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 44, No. 3
I. Allegro vivace
II. Scherzo: Assai leggiero vivace
III. Adagio non troppo
IV. Molto allegro con fuoco


Praised for their "immaculate precision and spirit" (The Strad) and “cultured tone” (Arts Desk), the Solem Quartet has established itself as one of the most innovative and adventurous quartets of its generation. A 2020 awardee of the Jerwood Arts Live Work Fund, one of 33 artists selected from more than 1200 applicants, the Solem Quartet takes its place amongst some of the UK’s brightest artistic voices.
They enjoy a busy concert schedule, ranging from international tours to performances at venues such as London’s Wigmore and Queen Elizabeth Halls, Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and Oxford’s Holywell Music Room, and have built a strong following since winning the Royal Over-Seas League Ensemble Competition 2014.
Passionate about collaborating with the composers of their time, the Quartet have worked closely with Anna Meredith, Colin Matthews and Thomas Adès and recently gave the UK premiere of Jonny Greenwood’s Suite from “There Will be Blood” (for string quartet) at the V&A Museum. The success of their groundbreaking ‘Solem Lates’ concept, created in 2019 with the aim of presenting classical music in a fresh way and reaching broader audiences, has underlined the Quartet’s position as leading exponents of new music.
The Solem Quartet are widely known for their thoughtfully curated programmes. In ‘Beethoven Bartók Now’, the group’s current ‘Solem Lates’ project, they present the works of these two giants alongside six major commissions, bringing new life and relevance to these iconic masterpieces; a wealth of digital content and educational activity surrounds each performance.
‘The Four Quarters’, the Solem Quartet’s debut album, was released on Orchid Classics in September 2021. Using Thomas Adès’ The Four Quarters as a framework – and featuring several arrangements by the ensemble – this CD explores composers’ depictions of night and day and all the moments in between.
The Solem Quartet has benefited from inspirational teaching from a number of the world’s greatest chamber musicians, as well as attending IMS Prussia Cove and the European Chamber Music Academy. In 2016-17 they were selected as both Tunnell Trust Artists and Park Lane Group Artists.
The Quartet takes great pride in its educational work. From 2015-17 they held the Junior Fellowship in Chamber Music at the Royal Northern College of Music and since 2016 they have been Quartet in Residence at the University of Liverpool. They are also Ensemble in Residence at Aberystwyth MusicFest.

(Image: Bertie Watson)

Old Royal Naval College Chapel / FREE