MfW present Vanbrugh and Friends

In collaboration with National String Quartet Foundation – Vanbrugh & Friends

Vanbrugh & Friends

Keith Pascoe, violin
Marja Gaynor, violin
Simon Aspell, viola
Ed Creedon, viola
Christopher Marwood, cello

Brahms – Clarinet Quintet in B minor Op.115 – version for string quintet [1891]
Dvořák – String Quintet in E flat major Op.97 American [1893]

The Vanbrugh & Friends present two popular and contrasted works from the string quintet repertoire.

The Brahms Quintet is the composer’s own alternative and rarely performed version of his famous clarinet quintet, with the clarinet part being played by a solo viola. Its richly autumnal soundworld is subtly altered in this string quintet version, the more blended voices offering a transparent texture of great beauty.

Brahms was an admirer and supporter of Dvořák’s work and the two were close friends from 1877 until Brahms’ death in 1897. Dvořák wrote this E flat major quintet during his time in America 1892-1895 as Director of the National Conservatory of Music, a fruitful and inspired period which also produced the New World symphony, the American string quartet and the cello concerto. This lovely quintet is filled with flowing melodies, rhythmic buoyancy and above all a sense of joy.

In association with the Arts Council, NSQF and Lyric FM.