London String Quartet Foundation

The Atrium Quartet, winners of the Ninth London International String Quartet Competition, 2003		Latest News Atrium Quartet return to UK Just 18 months after winning both the First Prize and the Audience Prize at the Ninth London International String Quartet Competition, the Atrium Quartet from St Petersburg were back in the UK. They embarked on a hectic programme of 10 concerts in 17 days, travelling to a number of places far and wide - Milverton, Plymouth, Galway and Nottingham - before returning to London to give their professional debut at Wigmore Hall on 21^st November 2004. The Wigmore Hall concert was sold out, and the Quartet was received very warmly. They then travelled north to give two more concerts in Preston and Alnwick, and then left the UK for a concert in Geneva before returning to St Petersburg. The core of their repertoire, unsurprisingly, was Borodin, Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, but they also performed Schumann, Mozart, Beethoven and Bartok. The Tour was part of their prize and was organised by Connaught Artists on behalf of LSQF. Quite apart from taking their first steps onto the UK's musical stage, the four Russians were visiting all the venues for the first time and making many new friends. Anna Gorelova, cellist, said “For months we have been studying English in preparation for our visit”. Subsequently she had the chance, together with her colleagues, of speaking the language on BBC Radio 3's ‘In Tune’, on which they featured on 19^th November. The Quartet's CD on EMI's ‘Debut’ Series was extremely well received when it was released last year, and was played on Radio 3. The Atrium were then back in the UK in March 2005 for the second leg of their tour, with concerts in Whitehaven, Haslemere, Woking and Cardiff. In between the UK concerts, they took masterclasses with the Alban Berg Quartet in Paris. Neville Abraham writes: “The difficulties of making your reputation on the international stage are especially difficult if you do not live in the West, like the Atrium. LSQF's role and the support we provide are absolutely essential to give them the best chance.” The Atrium Quartet will be back in the UK for a two week tour in October 2006. Their own website can be viewed at www.atriumquartet.com
Professor Barry Ife CBE		Professor Barry Ife CBE joins LSQF Board The LSQF Board has been strengthened by the appointment of Professor Barry Ife, recently appointed Principal of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Neville Abraham says: “I am delighted that Barry has agreed to join us. Not only does he have a distinguished record in the London academic world and especially in Hispanic Studies and in Spanish keyboard music, but his recent appointment to head the GSMD will mean much closer relations between LSQF and another of London's renowned music conservatoires”.
The Johnston Quartet, now known as the Elias Quartet		Johnston Quartet update Marie Bitlloch (cello) sends this update from the Quartet, second prize winners in 2003 of the London International String Quartet Competition: “We are happy to announce that Sara Bitlloch has recently joined the Johnston String Quartet as our new leader. We are now in the process of changing our name, and announced it officially at the occasion of our concert in the Brahms and Schumann festival in Manchester on January 7th 2005. We have become the Elias String Quartet. “We spent most of last term in Paris where we had a series of concerts, travelling to England for concerts and to Cologne for lessons, as in September we joined the Alban Berg Quartet class at the Hochschule in Cologne. We have also enrolled in the Pro Quartet programme. “In December 2004, we recorded with Sandrine Chatron, harp player, for a CD that should come out in March for the Ambroisie label (under the name of Elias Quartet, of course). “After Christmas 2004, we revert to being based in Manchester. Projects include a one month residency in Aldeburgh (at the Britten-Pears school) where we will be having coaching with Hugh Maguire. We are hoping to take part in Prussia Cove in April, and a Pro Quartet course with Paul Katz in June. “Future concerts include a tour of Wales, concerts in Aldeburgh, playing the Trout Quintet with Tom Poster and going to Stockholm for a concert and some master classes.” Ruth Wheal appointed General Manager of LSQF Ruth Wheal joined LSQF as General Manager in July 2004, having previously been Head of Event Management at the Barbican Centre. Ruth has also worked for the LSO, Blackheath Halls and the Wigmore Hall and now combines the LSQF job with looking after Joseph, aged 2½, and working for the London Symphony Chorus. Ruth says “I am really enjoying the work for LSQF, as it is a good mixture of the new and the familiar. Working with the Atrium Quartet during their UK tours in November and March was very rewarding and organising the new Youth Competition was a real challenge; I was amazed by the talent and commitment of the young performers. Seeing the results of our primary schools' education project at the Museum of London during LSQW 05 was truly uplifting, and it was wonderful to meet so many of our Supporters at the recent Final of the Youth Competition, and at the Atrium Quartet Musical Soiree last November”. New contact details for LSQF Ruth Wheal, General Manager 8 Woodlands Road Romford RM1 4HD tel and fax: 01708 761423 email: info@playquartet.com website: www.playquartet.com News \| Press archive