Risk and reward: Marmen Quartet in Sheffield

By Phil Parker, 25 March 2023

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“the Marmens succeeded in wringing every last drop of turbulent yearning and passion”

Reviewed at Upper Chapel, Sheffield on 24 March 2023

Mozart, String Quartet in E flat major, K428 (K421b)

Janáček, String Quartet no. 2, "Intimate Letters"

Beethoven, String Quartet no. 8 in E minor, "Razumovsky", Op.59 no.2

Marmen Quartet

Marmen and Viano String Quartets split First Prize at Banff

Laurence Vittes, 1st September

Three young string quartets competing for first prize at the the13th Banff International String Quartet Competition played so well that they took the jurors into double overtime.

Reexperimentación de la música clásica: Cuartetos Marmen & Diotima

Maria Sánchez, 18th September

Quatuor Diotima y Marmen Quartet festejaron la consagración del repertorio clásico reformulado desde una nueva escucha, con una opera prima de por medio

*****

A study in contrasts with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra

Sandra Bowdler, 7th June

The pairing of Barshai's arrangment of Shostakovich's Eighth String Quartet with Mozart's Gran Partita makes for an interesting contrast in this concert, beautifully presented by members of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

****1

Manchester Camerata presents mindfulness in turmoil at Kings Place

Chris Garlick, 6th June

All praise should be heaped on Rosie Middleton for her brave evocation and the vocal prowess of her performance in Peter Maxwell Davies’ Eight Songs for a Mad King.

****1

Staatskapelle Dresden provides scintillating finish for Prague Spring

Frank Kuznik, 4th June

In a powerful performance conducted by Daniele Gatti, Verdi’s Requiem soars with optimistic energy to close the Prague Spring festival in Smetana Hall.

*****

When time stands still: the Philharmonia revisits Strauss

Jessica Duchen, 4th June

The Philharmonia, Santtu-Matias Rouvali and Benjamin Grosvenor shine in the recreation of an all-Strauss extravaganza that was conducted in 1947 by the composer himself.

****1

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Phil Parker

Phil is a retired A-level English teacher who is now able to devote his life to things he really wants to do with his time. These include, but are not limited to: writing short fiction (his first collection, Girl with Fan, was published in late 2023), singing, creating programme notes for his choir’s concerts, volunteering, cooking, reading, and attending all home games at his beloved Manchester City. Alongside these is listening to classical music (live, on disc and on the radio), a lifetime’s love of which was sparked at the age of 11 when he discovered Haydn.