Hans Keller Forum Closing Concert

23 Apr
Hans Keller Forum
Open to the public
15:00 – 17:15

Join us for the grand finale of the 2024/25 Hans Keller Forum as Chamber Studio returns to West Road Concert Hall. This concert showcases the exceptional talents of four emerging chamber ensembles, each carefully selected from leading UK conservatoires, as they perform three Beethoven string quartets alongside Schubert’s magnificent Second Piano Trio.

Seion Quartet (RCM) – Beethoven Quartet No. 10 in E-flat major, Op 74, “Harp”

Trio Thalassa (RAM) – Schubert Piano Trio No 2 in Eb Major

Sonas Quartet (GSMD) – Beethoven Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op 95, “Serioso”

Heartwood Quartet (RNCM) – Beethoven Quartet No. 7 in F Major, Op 59 No 1, “Rasumovsky”

These ensembles have honed their craft under the expert mentorship of Donald Grant (Elias Quartet), Alasdair Beatson (renowned pianist), and John Myerscough (Doric Quartet), over the course of three residencies.

Adding a unique visual dimension, Artist in Residence Gabriel Kidd will be live-sketching the ensembles, capturing the essence of their performances.

Now in its third year, the Hans Keller Forum provides in-depth mentorship for selected chamber ensembles from UK conservatoires, fostering the next generation of chamber musicians. The programme is supported by the Cosman Keller Trust.

Don’t miss this celebration of emerging talent and timeless repertoire.

Tickets available soon, £10 (free for under 25s)

The ensembles for the 2024/25 forum are:

The members of the Seion Quartet are violinists Joe MacDonald and Sally Aiko Dando, violist Joe Berry and cellist Carys Underwood, students at the Royal College of Music.

Throughout their time together they’ve been fortunate to have received coaching from world renowned quartets such as the Maggini, Sacconi, and Brodsky Quartets and coaches Rafael Todes, Simon Rowland-Jones and Mats Zetterqvist.

Their name ‘Seion’ ties in with Joe MacDonald and Sally’s Japanese heritage, translated to mean ‘tone of voice’ or ‘serenity’.

They formed in early 2023 and some of their highlights include: regular engagements with the Broadstone and RCM Music Series, side by side projects with the Brodsky Quartet and playing for their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan, Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the State Banquet held at Buckingham Palace in June. In the Summer term of 2024 they also won the RCM String Quartet Competition.

Named for their roots on both sides of the Atlantic, Trio Thalassa is a dynamic ensemble comprising British violinist Juri Uchishiba, American cellist Aria Posner, and American pianist Andrew Zhao.

Their recent accolades include the Historical Women Composers Prize at the Royal Academy of Music, and they were highly commended, receiving third, in the Academy’s Harold Craxton Prize.

The trio made their recital debut at the 2024 RAM Summer Piano Festival, performing Rebecca Clarke’s Piano Trio and Beethoven’s Piano Trio op. 1 no. 1.

They work regularly with artists such as James Sleigh, Robert Cohen, Diana Ketler and Adrian Brendel.

The Heartwood Quartet formed in 2020 at the RNCM. They have worked closely with members of the Chilingirian, Wihan, Elias, Endellion, and Talich Quartets.

They were the resident quartet at the Lake District Summer Music Festival, and have participated in numerous concert series around Manchester, including Didsbury Coffee Concerts and Buxton Pavillion.

They have received tuition as part of the ECMA, and have been selected for the Hans Keller Forum.

They have recently appeared at the LDF, the Yorke Trust, Dvorak Society, and the Enys Festival.

They are also passionate about community, engaging in outreach sessions in schools.

This is a past event.

What’s On

  • Event Image
    9-11 Sep
    Hans Keller Forum

    Hans Keller Forum 1st Residency

    Chamber Studio’s season kicks off with the first instalment of its renowned Hans Keller Forum, a series of three day residencies in Cambridge….

    Closed to the public
    View Event
  • Event Image
    20 Oct
    Hans Keller Forum

    Hans Keller Series at Burgh House

    As part of a new artistic partnership between Chamber Studio and Burgh House, this series provides graduates of the Hans Keller Forum for an extended period of study, rehearsal and performance….

    Closed to the public
    14:00 – 17:00
    View Event
  • Event Image
    21 Oct
    Hans Keller Forum

    Public Masterclass – Hans Keller Series at Burgh House

    Join us for an opportunity to observe some of the UK’s most promising young chamber musicians at work with Trio Musae….

    Open to the public
    14:00 – 17:00
    View Event
  • Event Image
    22 Oct
    Hans Keller Forum

    Concert – Hans Keller Series at Burgh House

    Hear the brilliant Trio Musae, former Hans Keller Artists, in concert following an intensive residency of coaching and rehearsal at Burgh House….

    Open to the public
    19:30
    View Event
  • Event Image
    3 Dec
    Hans Keller Forum

    Concert – Hans Keller Series at Burgh House

    Hear the brilliant Talland Quartet, former Hans Keller Artists, in the second concert of our new Hans Keller Series at Burgh House….

    Open to the public
    19:30
    View Event
  • Event Image
    2-4 Jan
    Hans Keller Forum

    Hans Keller Forum 2nd Residency

    Chamber Studio’s welcomes in 2027 with the second of its Hans Keller Forum residencies in Cambridge….

    Closed to the public
    View Event
  • Event Image
    18 Feb
    Hans Keller Forum

    Concert – Hans Keller Series at Burgh House

    Hear the exceptional Quartet Concrète, former Hans Keller Artists, in the final concert of our new Hans Keller Series at Burgh House….

    Open to the public
    19:30
    View Event
  • Event Image
    7-9 Apr
    Hans Keller Forum

    Hans Keller Forum 3rd Residency

    The final residency of the fifth Hans Keller Forum series in Cambridge concludes this April. These exciting multi-day courses provide five of the UK’s most promising young ensembles with an immersive chamber music experience, allowing them to hone their rehearsal and performance techniques with guidance from some of the world’s finest musicians….

    Closed to the public
    View Event