Sacconi Quartet performs Haydn, Alberga and Beethoven (SJP Classical)

Part of the St James's Piccadilly Classical Programme

"The Sacconi, a fast rising British string quartet ... bring something fresh and distinctive." THE TIMES

For twenty years, the Sacconi Quartet have been captivating audiences with their unanimous and compelling ensemble, consistently communicating with a fresh and imaginative approach. The quartet are known throughout the world for their creativity and integrity of interpretation. Formed in 2001, the four founder members continue to demonstrate a shared passion for string quartet repertoire, infectiously reaching out to audiences with their energy and enthusiasm.

The Sacconi enjoy a busy international career, performing regularly across the world, at Europe's major venues, in recordings and on radio broadcasts. Their album of music by Jonathan Dove hit the Classical Top Ten, and was chosen as one of Gramophone Magazine's Recordings of the Year. In November the Sacconi celebrated twenty years of playing together, with a celebration birthday concert at Wigmore Hall.

The name Sacconi Quartet comes from the outstanding twentieth-century Italian luthier and restorer Simone Sacconi, whose book The Secrets of Stradivari is considered an indispensable reference for violin makers. Ben Hancox plays a 1932 Sacconi violin and Robin Ashwell a 1934 Sacconi viola, both made in New York. Hannah Dawson plays a 1927 Sacconi violin made in Rome, and Cara Berridge plays a Nicolaus Gagliano cello from 1781.

With Ben Hancox violin, Hannah Dawson violin, Robin Ashwell viola, Cara Berridge cello .

Programme

Haydn String Quartet in B minor, Op 64 No 2

Eleanor Alberga String Quartet No. 2

Beethoven String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135

Programme notes

Haydn String Quartet in B minor, Op 64 No 2:

The key of B minor was rarely used by Haydn. It brings out a agitated, searching strain in his musical personality. The piece includes both amusing and disconcerting effects, resulting in a movement of abrupt contrasts. During the four movements of Op 64 No 2, B major gradually wins out over B minor, bringing a magical display of mood, texture and colour.

Eleanor Alberga String Quartet No. 2:

Jamaican-born British composer Eleanor Alberga is a contemporary composer of international importance. In 2015 her opener for the Last Night of the Proms, ARISE ATHENA!, was viewed by millions. Her String Quartet No. 2 is a single-movement work that mixes contemporary European techniques with Western Caribbean culture. Its single movement span presents traditional forms embedded in a truly forward-thinking piece, bringing out Alberga's great skills as an artist and composer. Many of her works draw on her Jamaican heritage and her time as a singer with the Jamaican Folk Singers. The emotional range of her language, her structural clarity and her skill as an orchestrator have won her critical acclaim.

Beethoven String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135:

Written in October 1826, this was the last major work Beethoven completed. Only the final movement of the Quartet Op. 130, written as a replacement for the Große Fuge, was composed later and premiered one year after his death.

As he began writing the Op. 135 quartet, Beethoven knew it would be his last: he was very conscious of the moment in his life. The work is on a smaller scale than the other late quartets; many find it to be more classical, complacent and even accommodating. Some find it to be a relaxation, a cooling down for Beethoven following his monumental achievements.

Under the introductory slow chords in the last movement Beethoven wrote in the manuscript "Muß es sein?" (Must it be?) to which he responds, with the faster main theme of the movement, "Es muß sein!" (It must be!). The whole movement is headed "Der schwer gefaßte Entschluß" (The Difficult Decision).

Others Details

Artist: Sacconi Quartet