Norpa News

Stringing us along

The Australian String Quartet are performing a one-off show in Lismore this Saturday night.

String quartets are not just "stuffy old men in suits with beards playing music by dead people," according to the Australian String Quartet's second violin, James Cuddeford.

"For a start, not one of us has a beard," he said. "The string quartet has been going for 250 years or so now as a musical genre, it is still a living artform, there are composers still writing for it, and hundreds of string quartets all over the world performing. Some of music's greatest moments are for the string quartet."

The Australian String Quartet (ASQ) is appearing in Lismore this Saturday night, May 14, at Lismore City Hall from 8pm.

Their performance, Music of the Spheres, includes three pieces from the classical canon: Mendelssohn's Capriccio Opus 81 and his String Quartet in D Opus number 44, and Schumann's Piano Quintet in E Flat, Opus 44, featuring guest artist Benjamin Martin on piano.

James described the Schumann as a piece which is "always one of the most popular classical works."

"It is approachable and involving, there is something in it for everyone emotionally," James said. "It is a work with a lot of depth to it - a whole range of emotions, from triumphant and noble at the beginning, to a quite slow, sombre movement, and the end will hopefully have people jumping off the edges of their seats with excitement and joy."

Mendelssohn he described as "a composer who easily transports you to another world."

"He played himself in quartets," James added. "And it is great work for music students to see performed live."

There will also be musical surprises from this globe trotting foursome, although the ASQ are keeping mum on exactly what they will be.

"We will definitely be throwing in a couple of other things, more unusual things," James said. "It's good to have something up your sleeve. We try to be balanced so there is something for everyone, from Mozart to living Australian composers."

Tickets to the show are on sale now at the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre. Phone 6621 5600.

Events and giveaway

• Win a double pass to Music of the Spheres with the Australian String Quartet on Saturday night. The first email to norpa@norpa.org.au with "Celestial Sounds" in the subject line this Friday, May 13 (also give us your name, address and phone number in the email) will win.
• Tickets are selling faster than beers at a buck's night for the Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow on Friday, May 20, at Lismore City Hall. Don't miss the laughs - phone 6621 5600 now for bookings.
• There are still places available for local stringed instrument students at the workshop with members of the Australian String Quartet on Sunday, May 15, at Lismore City Hall from 10am. The cost is $15/10. To book a place, phone 6622 0300 this Friday.