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.
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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”
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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)
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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.
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Events are updated frequently, please check back soon
Chamber Studio’s Hans Keller Forum concludes its fourth season with a final three-day residency in Cambridge, bringing together the UK’s most exciting young chamber ensembles for immersive coaching, rehearsal, and collaboration….
Come and celebrate the culmination of the Hans Keller Forum with a special concert featuring four outstanding ensembles from UK conservatoires….