ASQ announces a new quartet
16 February 2006
Mr Peter Hunt, Chairman of the Australian String Quartet today announced that a new quartet, led by virtuoso violinist Sophie Rowell, would continue the tradition of fine music that the ASQ is renowned for from the end of 2006.
The current quartet led by virtuoso violinist Natsuko Yoshimoto will play its last season in 2006.
Since 2003 the current quartet has played to the growing acclaim of national and international audiences.
Natsuko Yoshimoto, lead violin, James Cuddeford, second violin, Niall Brown, cellist and Jeremy Williams, viola, have built a reputation as one of Australia’s leading chamber ensembles.
Announcing their final season, the Chairman of the Australian String Quartet, Peter Hunt, acknowledged the outstanding contribution the quartet has made to Australian chamber music.
“From small beginnings in Adelaide the Australian String Quartet has built a national audience and taken chamber music from the Australian outback to the concert halls of the UK, Europe and Asia.“
Mr Hunt said that the Australian String Quartet’s music had always been rich and rewarding as new audiences responded to the intimacy and beauty of chamber music.
He said the Australian String Quartet, supported by Arts SA, The University of Adelaide and many corporate and private donors was unique in Australia’s cultural map, as the only full-time nationally-touring string quartet.
Looking to the future, Chairman Peter Hunt said he was very pleased and excited to announce that four brilliant Australian musicians who have built their reputation as the Tankstream Quartet will become the next Australian String Quartet.
“These renowned young Australian musicians have established a fine reputation in Australia and Europe as the Tankstream Quartet, winning many chamber music competitions. They will be a sparkling addition to Australia’s artistic and musical life, continuing the tradition of great artists playing as the Australian String Quartet” Mr Hunt said.
“Led by violinist Sophie Rowell, from Adelaide, the group, which has recently returned from concerts in Europe, includes Anne Horton, violin, Sally Boud, viola and Rachel Johnston, cello.
“These four musicians have already enjoyed enormous success in prestigious international competitions, such as the Melbourne Chamber Competition, the Osaka, and the Cremona and Premio Paolo Borciani competitions in Italy.
“Their international concert career has seen them perform widely in all countries of Europe including a 2005 tour through Hungary, Croatia and Serbia. They have also performed extensively throughout Japan.
“Now as the next ASQ audiences across Australia will have the opportunity to be part of the next stage of their music making.”
Ms Rowell said the group was most enthusiastic about taking on the mantle of the ASQ and taking fine music to Australian national and regional audiences.
“The chance to have worked in the chamber music heart of Europe with some of the world’s top quartets such as the Alban Berg Quartet, successfully competing in international competitions and launching a presence on European concert stages, has been the perfect build up for this heaven-sent opportunity”, said Ms Rowell on behalf of her colleagues.
Founded in Adelaide in 1985, the Australian String Quartet was first led by violinist William Hennessey and soon established a reputation for musical excellence at home and abroad.
The 2006 season of the ASQ features major works by Mozart and Shostakovich, to celebrate the anniversaries of these wonderful composers.
The first national tour begins on March 7 in Melbourne and takes in major cities and regional centres across the nation.
