2010 Chamber MusicFest
The Three Bs
Monday 15 - Friday 19 February
The theme for our 2010 Chamber Music Fest is the 'Three Bs': Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, and it is particularly appropriate to welcome as our guests one of the finest quartets in the world, the Endellion Quartet, who have just recorded the complete cycle of Beethoven quartets.
The piano trios and quartets of Beethoven and Brahms are amongst the greatest and most popular works in the chamber music repertoire, and these will be well-represented this week, but there will also be opportunities to hear some less familiar works by these composers, in particular Beethoven's rarely heard Equale for four trombones and the Brahms horn trio. And how could we leave out Bach, without whom none of this would have been possible?
But maybe the theme should have been 'Four Bs', as we will also be presenting two of Bartók's finest chamber works, the 5th Quartet and Contrasts.
Please join us to hear some of the greatest chamber music ever written, performed by an exciting mix of youth and experience, sometimes even in the same concert!
Click event titles for detailed information
Monday 15
- 11am
Schubert Ensemble Coffee Concert
Beethoven and Brahms, with a complimentary cup of coffee and the opportunity to meet members of the Schubert Ensemble.
Recital Hall, £5.50 (£3) - 1pm
Monday Showcase
Student ensembles present Beethoven, Bartók and Brahms as part of our ever-popular free lunchtime concert series.
Recital Hall, Free admission - 2.30pm
Kenneth Page Foundation Competition for Piano Trio Composition
Up to four works will be performed by the Hepplewhite Trio in this final workshop, followed by discussion with distinguished composer and conductor Edwin Roxburgh.
Adrian Boult Hall, £3 - 7.30pm
Monday Evening Recital
Students and staff perform Beethoven's Septet, Op.20 and Brahms' Sextet No.2 in G, Op.36.
Recital Hall, £5.50 (£3)
- 1.05pm
Performance Platform: The Boult Quartet with John Humphreys, piano
The Conservatoire's Junior Fellowship Quartet presents a Shostakovich quartet and Brahms piano quintet, aided by staff pianist John Humphreys.
Adrian Boult Hall, Free admission - 7.30pm
Endellion Quartet
Our distinguished guest quartet presents Beethoven's Quartet in B flat, Op.18, No.6, Bartók's Quartet No.5 and Ravel's Quartet.
Recital Hall, £6 (£4)
- 1pm
Wednesday Lunchtime Recital
A full programme of Beethoven, including his Clarinet Trio, Op.11, Equales for four trombones and Octet.
Recital Hall, Free admission - 7pm
Sylvia Cleaver Chamber Music Prize
Open to all Conservatoire student ensembles, this prize is generously supported by Birmingham Chamber Music Society.
Recital Hall, £5.50 (£3)
- 1pm
Thursday Lunchtime Recital
Trios at lunchtime: Beethoven's 'Ghost' trio, Brahms' Horn Trio and the winning entry from the Kenneth Page Foundation piano trio composition competition.
Recital Hall, Free admission - 7.30pm
Liederabend
An evening of songs by Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, devised by Simon Nicholls.
Recital Hall, £5.50 (£3)
- 1pm
Friday Lunchtime Recital
The Harper and Georgiev Quartets present quartets 3 & 4 from Beethoven's Op.18.
Recital Hall, Free admission - 7.30pm
Capelle Baroque Ensemble
Bach Brandenburg Concertos, plus Biber's Battaglia.
Adrian Boult Hall, £5.50 (£3)