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Haydn String Quartet in B Flat Major, Op 50 No 1
Alban Berg String Quartet, Op 3
Beethoven String Quartet No 15 in A minor, Op 132
The Barbican Quartet unfolds a Viennese program, harmoniously melding the classical compositions of Haydn and Beethoven with the early modernism of Alban Berg. Comprising Amarins Wierdsma and Kate Maloney on violins, Christoph Slenczka on viola, and Yoanna Prodanova on cello, the quartet fuses four international musicians' unique personas into one cohesive voice.
With their intimate performances and virtuosic ensemble playing, the Barbican Quartet has enchanted audiences worldwide, carving out a distinctive space for themselves in the chamber music scene. Their 2022 journey was marked with a remarkable milestone as they welcomed second violinist, Kate Maloney, an addition that birthed a luscious quality of sound, well acknowledged by their mentors, Quatuor Ébène and Günter Pichler.
In their quest to continue the tradition of string quartet playing and the spirit of collective exploration, the Barbican Quartet reached new heights in the 71st ARD International String Quartet Competition. They bagged not just the first prize, but also a constellation of special awards for their spellbinding interpretation of the work commissioned by Dobrinka Tabakova.
The quartet's name – Barbican – echoes their foundational ethos, symbolizing a defensive wall surrounding a city or castle. It reflects their commitment to uphold and enrich the heritage of string quartet music. Their journey commenced in 2015 at the Barbican Center in London, marking a deep-rooted bond with the city. The founding members – Amarins, Christoph, and Yoanna – met at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Initially, their collaboration was driven by the sheer pleasure of making music together; however, their camaraderie soon transformed into a more serious endeavour.
Today, this international quartet – boasting four nationalities and the ability to converse in seven languages – divides its time between London and Munich. They are nurtured under the guidance of eminent mentors such as Günter Pichler, the Quatuor Ébène, the Belcea Quartet, Alasdair Tait, Andras Keller, and David Waterman.
Their musical prowess has earned them coveted accolades, including the first prize at the 2019 Joseph Joachim International Chamber Music Competition and the 2018 St Martin in the Fields Chamber Music Competition. They were distinguished as the St John Smith Square Young Artists in 2020 and were Park Lane Group artists in 2016.
Having graced platforms like the Peasmarsh Festival, Vibre! Quatuors à Bordeaux, Zeister Muziekdagen, Montreal Chamber Music Festival, IMS Prussia Cove, and Aldeburgh, the Barbican Quartet's performances have been broadcast on channels such as BR Klassik Radio, NPO Radio 4, and BBC Radio 3.
In a time of escalating divisions, the Barbican Quartet embodies the harmonious interplay of diverse elements, celebrating individual differences and crafting beauty out of unity. Join us as we embark on a musical journey with them.
This concert is kindly sponsored by The C & M Pike Trust.
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