Fitzwilliam String Quartet

Now well into its fifth decade, the Fitzwilliam String Quartet is amongst the longest established string quartets in the world. The current line-up combines founding member violist Alan George with a new generation of performers: violinists Lucy Russell and Marcus Barcham-Stevens, and cellist Heather Tuach. International recognition came early for FSQ, as the first group to record and perform all fifteen of Shostakovich’s string quartets, drawing on the players’ personal connection with the composer. Today, the FSQ performs a wide and diverse range of music from the late 17th century to the present day. It remains one of the few quartets to play on both historical and modern instrument set-ups and has brought over 50 new works to the repertoire. The FSQ has performed regularly across Britain, Europe, North America, the Far East, and Southern Africa, as well as making many award winning recordings for Decca, Linn, and Divine Art Records.

Purcell: Fantazia No. 7 (Z.738) Marcus Barcham Stevens: Double on Fantazia No.7 by Purcell (2014) Jackson Hill: Ghosts (2010) Rachel Stott: The Purcell Range (2016) Beethoven: String Quartet in F minor, Op. 95 Beethoven: String Quartet in F major, Op. 135

6.45pm – pre-concert talk plus a complimentary glass of wine