NSQF Autumn Series: Ficino Quartet
Shostakovich’s stunning tenth quartet from 1964 returns to the themes of conflict, aftermath and resolution which pervade many of his earlier quartets. After an introductory first movement, the second movement, marked ‘furioso’, is quite shocking in its aggression and graphic portrayal of violence. It is followed by a prayerful and grief-stricken passacaglia which eventually dissolves into a life-affirming finale, picking up the pieces and carrying on.
Valencia is another in Caroline Shaw’s remarkable series of attractive short pieces for string quartet. It is the Valencia orange that is the hero here, made up, in her words, of Hundreds of brilliantly colored, impossibly delicate vesicles of juice, ready to explode
Siobhán Cleary’s new quartet takes its starting point from Reel du Pendu, a traditional Québécois reel.
Beethoven’s first Rasoumovsky quartet is perhaps the most gloriously expansive of all his quartets. The epic journey of the first movement becomes the playful story-telling of the scherzo, then perhaps his greatest and most loved slow movement gives way to the playful virtuosity of the finale.
Featured Artists
Ficino Quartet: Elaine Clark, violin; Lynda O’Connor, violin; Nathan Sherman, viola; Ailbhe McDonagh, cello.
Programme
Shostakovich - String Quartet No.10 [1964]
Caroline Shaw - Valencia [2012]
Siobhán Cleary - Reel du Pendu [2025]*
Beethoven - String Quartet Op.59 No.1 Rasoumovsky [1808]
*First performances.
Venues & Dates
CLIFDEN - Wednesday 3rd December at 8pm - tbc - presented by Clifden Arts Society
TRALEE - Thursday 4th December at tbc - Kerry School of Music
BANTRY - Friday 5th December at tbc - tbc - presented by West Cork Music
CORK - Saturday 6th December at 1pm - Triskel Arts Centre (Shostakovich, Cleary, Beethoven)
DUBLIN - Sunday 7th December at 3pm - National Concert Hall