PROGRAMME:

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) String Quartet in C major Op. 20 No. 2

Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Quartettsatz in C minor D703

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) String Quartet in F minor Op. 95 'Serioso'

Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975) String Quartet in B-flat majorNo. 5 Op. 92

Since its formation in 2002, the Navarra Quartet has built an international reputation as one of the most dynamic and poetic string quartets of today. Selected for representation by the Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) from 2006 to 2010, they have been awarded the MIDEM Classique Young Artist Award, a Borletti- Buitoni Trust Fellowship, a Musica Viva tour and prizes at the Banff, Melbourne and Florence International String Quartet Competitions. The Navarra Quartet has appeared at major venues throughout the world including the Wigmore Hall, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Luxembourg Philharmonie, Berlin Konzerthaus, and international festivals such as Bath, Grachten, Sandviken, Schwetzinger, Rheingau, Mecklenburg- Vorpommern, Huntingdon (Australia), Aix- en-Provence, Bellerive and the BBC Proms. Further afield they have given concerts in Russia, the USA, China, Korea and the Middle East and have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, RAI 3 (Italy), Radio 4 (Holland), SWR (Germany), Radio Luxembourg and ABC Classic FM (Australia). The Quartet has collaborated with artists such as Li-Wei, Guy Johnston, Mark Padmore, Allan Clayton, Francesco Piemontesi, John O’Conor, Jack Liebeck, Simone Young and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Highly-acclaimed recordings include Haydn’s The Seven Last Words for Altara Records and a disc of Pēteris Vasks’ first three String Quartets for Challenge Records, which they recorded whilst working closely with the composer himself. The recording was described by critics as “stunning”, “sensational” and “compelling”, and was nominated for the prestigious German Schallplattenkritik Award. Earlier in 2013, the Navarra Quartet recorded a disc for NMC Records featuring the music of Joseph Phibbs, due for release in the coming months. Formed at the Royal Northern College of Music, they commenced their studies under the guidance of   the late Dr. Christopher Rowland. Their development continued with studies in Cologne with the Alban Berg Quartet, Pro- Quartet in Paris, the International Musicians Seminar at Prussia Cove and from residencies at the Britten-Pears School in Aldeburgh and at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland. The Navarra Quartet is the Associated Ensemble in Residence at the Birmingham Conservatoire and was the recipient of the ChamberStudio Mentorship 2013, generously supported by the Musicians Benevolent Fund. Combined with their constant desire for evolution, the mentorship has allowed them to continue working with renowned musicians such as Eberhard Feltz, David Waterman and Ferenc Rados. The Quartet plays on a variety of fine instruments which include a Hieronymus II Amati and Panormo violins, an unknown, old English viola and a Ruggieri cello. Highlights this season and beyond include appearances at the Royal Festival Hall, Wigmore Hall, Concertgebouw, Sydney Opera House, Laeiszhalle in Hamburg and at the Four Winds Festival in Bermagui, Australia. The Navarra Quartet are excited to hold the inaugural Weesp Chamber Music Festival at the beautifully renovated Van Houten Church, in the picturesque town of Weesp, close to Amsterdam. 

Find out more about Pushkin House Music Salon HERE.