Halcyon Quartet

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Quartet No. 21 in D Major K575 “Prussian” (Mozart)

i Allegretto, in D major, ii Andante, in A major, iii Menuetto: Allegretto, in D major with a trio section in G major, iv Allegretto in D major

Written in 1789 for keen cellist, the King of Prussia, K.575 begins sotto voce with a delicate trio. Operatic overture exuberance soon unfolds, showcasing prominent cello lines (in deference to the King) and balanced by a strong conversational texture between all instruments. Mozart was at a financial crunch point in life and hoped that this commission would resurrect his fortunes. Small compensation was his only reward to compose six quartets for the musically enthusiastic King. K.575 is one of three “Prussian” quartets that Mozart completed before his death.

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

String Quartet No.5, Op.18 (Beethoven)

i Allegro, ii Menuetto - Trio, iii Andante cantabile (Theme with variations), iv Allegro assai

Playful and elegant, this 1801 quartet from a set if six conveys an entertaining sparkle. Modelled on an earlier Mozart quartet in the same key – Beethoven provides a lightness and grace that culminates in the final movement with contrapuntal fizz. As a counterbalance to this, the third movement provides a theme and variations that harmonically and rhythmically explores contentment, whimsy, soulfulness, and jubilation all with a textural grounding that reminds the listener this is still a serious quartet - despite the joviality explored in the other movements.

Performers

Halcyon Quartet (String ensemble)

• Millie Ashton - Violin
• Leidy Sinclair - Violin
• Georgie Davis - Viola
• Hee Yeon Cho - Cello

Described as “future stars of British Chamber Music” (Eaton Square Concerts), the Halcyon Quartet formed in 2012 at the Royal Academy of Music and studied with Jon Thorne, Martin Outram, and the Doric Quartet. Previous accolades include the 2017 St. Peter’s Prize, Sir Arthur Bliss and Harold Craxton Prizes, and the two accelerated quartet schemes offered by the RAM (Davey Posnanski and Frost A.S.S.E.T); the quartet were also awarded the role of Ensemble-In-Residence at Holy Sepulchre London where they programmed a monthly recital series. In 2019 and 2020 they were finalists in the Royal Over-Seas League Annual Chamber Music Competition. Highlights include the quartet performing at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre with pianist Bruce Levingston as part of TRIO ConcertDance (a collaboration with principals of the Royal Ballet), West Cork Chamber Music Festival, Thames Concerts, St. Marylebone Society, Bermuda Festival of Performing Arts, Rhyl Music Club and Eaton Square Concerts. A recent collaboration featured the quartet recording Kristina Arakelyan’s “Dialogues” at The Menuhin Hall for a King’s College London Composer Conference. The Halcyons also enjoy sharing their passion with younger ensembles, and have been Teaching-Quartet-In-Residence at Dartington International Music Festival, and Quartet-In-Residence with the Broadstone Music Series.