As the warm April sunshine filtered through the stained glass windows of the Boys’ Chapel, the RTE Vanbrugh String Quartet delighted an audience of approximately one hundred music students from the College. The students were treated to an unusually wide and varied programme encompassing almost all genres of the string quartet repertoire.
The Vanbrugh Quartet, internationally recognised for its beauty of sound, clarity of texture and integrity of interpretation, comprises Keith Pascoe (Violin) Chris Marwood (Violin), Simon Aspel (Viola) and Greg Ellis (‘Cello). The Quartet explored music of the historic stalwarts such as Beethoven, Haydn and Mozart, but also made certain to include repertoire from emerging Irish composers such as Deirdre MacKay, and the now deceased but much-loved Aloys Fleischmann, Professor of Music at University College Cork (1934-1980).
Adopting a highly interactive model of approach with their young but thoroughly appreciative audience, Greg invited Danny Dixon of Elements to make his debut as a ‘cellist with the Vanbrugh Quartet. After a five-minute lesson with Greg, Danny was capable of playing a simple pizzicato accompaniment to a Mozart Divertimento, and Danny certainly proved himself to be a most promising ‘cellist in this flawless performance!
This was a wonderful opportunity for the Music students of Clongowes to hear a live performance from this sublime ensemble who enjoy an international and thriving career. Our sincerest thanks to Ms. Lesley Bishop of RTE for facilitating this event.
Ms Anne Conaghan
