From Soul and Soundpost, a series of talks looking at the String Quartet with ConTempo, Galway's ensemble in residence, takes place in November and December. The composers, the history, the evolution and a lifetime of performance of the string quartet will be treated in these illustrated talks taking place in NUI Galway on three consecutive Mondays from 24 November.

The speakers are Galway-based composer, Jane O’Leary; Siegmund Nissel, member of the legendary Amadeus Quartet with whom ConTempo held the Chamber Music Fellowship at the Royal Academy of Music London; and Hugh Maguire of the Allegri Quartet, with whom ConTempo have studied at the Britten-Pears School for Advanced Music Studies in England. Each talk will be accompanied by musical illustrations by the Quartet.

The ConTempo quartet has given more than 400 concerts all over the world, having toured throughout Europe, Asia, Canada and Israel, and performed for Pope John Paul II and Prince Charles. They have recorded Beethoven Op. 131 for the TV drama, Band of Brothers, by Steven Spielberg and have also made a number of recordings for BBC Radio 3. They were appointed Galway Ensemble in Residence in 2003. Members of ConTempo are Bogdan Sofei and Ingrid Nicola (violins), Andreea Banciu (viola) and Adrian Mantu (cello).

Lectures take place on 24 November, 1 December and 8 December at 8.00 pm in the Patrick Fottrell Theatre, NUI Galway.