18 January 2012
The world-renowned Chilingirian Quartet will be performing at Abingdon School in the Amey Theatre at 7pm on Wednesday 8 February. The Chilingirian Quartet is one of the most celebrated string ensembles on the international music scene, touring over 50 countries across 6 continents, playing classical and contemporary works. The Quartet has won prizes including the Royal Philharmonic Society Chamber Music Award, the Cobbett Medal and was awarded the Best String Quartet Recording by Gramophone Magazine. The Chamber concert follows two recent violin masterclasses, led by Levon Chilingirian, with the School’s leading strings players.
Speaking about the quartet, Michael Stinton, Director of Music at Abingdon said, ‘It is a huge privilege to have such inspirational musicians performing at Abingdon; the concert, which is open to all, will be a musical highlight of 2012. We are enormously grateful to Levon and his fellow musicians, both for the guidance he gives to our pupils, and for bringing the Quartet to perform. It is a very rare opportunity to hear Chamber Music of this quality.’
Armenian by birth, Levon Chilingirian studied at the Royal College of Music where he is now a professor. The Quartet was formed in 1971 with Philip de Groote, cello, Ronald Birks, violin and Susie Meszaros, viola. The musicians will perform quartets by Haydn, Op76 no5, Shostakovich, no8 and Ravel sublime quartet.
Levon has held two previous violin masterclasses at Abingdon School and is impressed by the talent and enthusiasm of the boys, he says, ‘I am so happy to return to Abingdon School with my colleagues in the Chilingirian Quartet. We are really looking forward to our afternoon masterclass and the pleasure of performing to such a warm and responsive audience.’
Abingdon School pupil, Ian Chan, who leads the Senior Orchestra said, ‘It is inspirational to listen to Mr Chilingirian and to have his advice on techniques and performing. It is amazing how much you learn.’
Levon will be coaching Abingdon School’s chamber musicians in the afternoon before the Quartet’s concert. The School has 12 ensembles entered in the National Chamber Music Festival and this is a tremendous opportunity for the boys to gain some valuable advice before the competition qualifiers on the 24 February. Abingdon School has a long history of excellent music making, with musicians playing in the National Youth Orchestra and winning organ/choral awards to Oxbridge most years. The School also has a reputation for more contemporary musicians including the band, Radiohead.
Tickets for the Chilingirian Quartet Chamber Concert are available to the public.
Cost: £12 (students £6) and family £25 from arts.sec@abingdon.org.uk or book online at http://abingdon-booking.info