Sunday 14th July, Hastoe Village Hall 7.30pm ‘ BEETHOVEN RAZ 2’ Paul Barritt violin Catherine Yates violin Robin Ireland viola Nick Roberts cello Mozart String Quartet No 21 in D ‘Prussian’ K575 Shostakovich Elegy and Polka for string quartet Op 36a Beethoven String Quartet Op 59 no 2 ‘Razumovsky’ Written for the King of Prussia, an accomplished cellist and patron of music, his 21st quartet (sometimes nicknamed ‘The Violet’) is one of Mozart’s last string quartets. Despite Mozart’s dire condition at the time of composition, it is notable for expression of elegance, refinement and perfect form: a real-life conversation amongst four equal voices. In great contrast, we play 2 pieces which Shostakovich purloined from his early opera, the ‘Lady Macbeth of Mtsenk’ and the ballet ‘the Golden Age’. They are typical examples from this wonderful musician, whose true self often (out of necessity) hides behind popular facades. The second of Beethoven’s three middle period quartets, written for Count Razumovsky, was groundbreaking. This is music of extraordinary individuality which exposes us to a huge range of human emotions with an intensity which is totally Beethoven’s and for which we can all be grateful. Music such as this succeeds where words can only fail... See more >