Earl of Kellie          String Quartet in C minor

Schubert                String Quartet No.12 in C minor, D.703

Shostakovich        String Quartet No.11 in F minor, Op.122

Tchaikovsky          String Quartet No.2 in F, Op.22

The legendary Fitzwilliam String Quartet, now in its 50th year, makes a widely anticipated return to open our season, as it did to great acclaim in 2013/14.

Thomas Erskine, who became the 6th Earl of Kellie, was an eminent musician in 18th century Scotland and his C minor quartet (one of six) is an impressive work, full of ‘Sturm und Drang’. Far better known is Schubert’s much-loved ‘Quartettsatz’, here with Brian Newbould’s completion of the Andante second movement. The Fitzwilliam has long championed the music of Shostakovich and this performance of his enigmatic 11th quartet (which they have played for the composer’s son Maxim) is sure to be compelling. The programme ends with Tchaikovsky’s generally dark but ultimately exultant second quartet.

“The Fitzwilliam String Quartet, in my opinion, is, and has been for many years, Britain’s premier string quartet…a flagship British ensemble that should be the pride of the nation.”  (Fanfare)