NSQF Autumn Series: Lir Quartet
Brian Boydell was a huge figure in Irish music thoughout the second half of the twentieth century, a prolific broadcaster, writer, performer and composer as well as Professor of Music at Trinity for more than twenty years. His fine second string quartet is in two movements, the first nostalgic, the second full of restless vitality. It has been recorded by both the Vanbrugh Quartet and the Carducci Quartet.
Janáček’s second string quartet Intimate Letters has become popular thanks to its extraordinarily descriptive and expressive musical language. It was famously inspired by the composer’s long and spiritual friendship with Kamila Stösslová, a married woman 38 years his junior with whom he exchanged more than 700 letters during the course of their relationship. Here is the Vanbrugh Quartet’s 1994 recording.
Dvořák’s gorgeous A flat major quartet has everything you could ask for... an epic first movement, a playful scherzo complete with a magically contrasted trio section, a beautifully tender slow movement and a finale which grows from a mysterious opening into high-spirited revelry. The Click here for the Vanbrugh Quartet’s 1991 recording (on spotify).
Featured Artists
Lir Quartet: Siobhán Doyle, violin; Sophie Williams, violin; Ed Creedon, viola; Killian White, cello.
Programme
Brian Boydell - String Quartet No.2 [1957]
Janáček - String Quartet No.2 Intimate Letters [1928]
Dvořák - String Quartet in A flat major Op.104 [1895]
Venues & Tickets
CASTLEBAR - Wednesday 15th October at 8pm - Linenhall Arts Centre
TULLAMORE - Thursday 16th October at 8pm - Esker Arts Centre
LIMERICK - Friday 17th October at tbc - tbc
RATHMORE - Saturday 18th October at tbc - Knocknaseed House
BANTRY - Sunday 19th October at 3pm - St. Brendan’s Church - presented by West Cork Music