Lecture: The Inner Workings of Britten's Quartets

In the second Hans Keller Forum lecture, Simon Rowland-Jones will delve into The Inner Workings of Britten’s Quartets. The talk will focus on exploring and analysing the chief characteristics of Britten’s string quartet music, its sound worlds and musical forms. First given at the Wigmore Hall, the lecture will feature live extracts performed by the Medea String Quartet, a current ChamberStudio ensemble. 

Simon Rowland-Jones is a composer, editor of the new Peters Edition of the Haydn String Quartets and a professor at the Royal College of Music. A former violist, he performed for ten years as a founder member of the Chilingirian Quartet. 

The Medea String Quartet is comprised of current students and graduates of the Royal College of Music. In 2022 the Quartet performed with Simon at the Wigmore Hall and was selected for a ChamberStudio Mentorship under David Waterman.

Hans Keller Forum (HKF) is a new ChamberStudio programme which provides in-depth mentorship for selected chamber ensembles from UK conservatoires. It runs as a set of 3-day residential courses held at West Road Concert Hall. The ensembles will be coached by acclaimed chamber musicians Alasdair Beatson, John Myerscough and Richard Ireland. 

Masterclasses and Open Rehearsals on 5th January from 17.30-18.45 will be open to observers.

HKF is funded by the Cosman Keller Art and Music Trust.

ChamberStudio provides coaching and support to emerging professional chamber musicians. Our programmes deliver specialised training tailored to each ensemble’s needs, creating an inspiring and nurturing community for musicians who want to focus on chamber music as a central part of their career. Our masterclasses are open to observers, and our mission is to sustain and nourish the future of chamber music and to promote it as an accessible and great artform.