The London Chamber Ensemble and late Beethoven
Fri 13 Jan 2023 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM GMT
33 Hampstead Lane, N6 4RT
Description
Madeleine, Gordon, Bridget and Joseph will be opening our 2023 season for us with one of Beethoven's last works, considered to be amongst his great compositions.
Madeleine Mitchell - violin
Gordon MacKay - violin
Bridget Carey - viola
Joseph Spooner - cello
THE MUSIC:
Herbert Howells Luchinushka (Lament on a Russian folktune) arranged by Madeleine Mitchell
Beethoven String Quartet No 15 in A minor op.132
Prince Nikolai Galitzine had commissioned the first three of what were to become Beethoven's last compositions (Quartets numbers 12, 13 and 15) in 1822 offering to pay him 'what you think proper' for the three works. Beethoven replied with a price of 50 ducats for each opus.
By 1825 , however, when Beethoven actually started work on them, he was completely deaf and in failing health. Indeed he was bedridden for a month during their composition and the slow movement of the Fifteenth he called 'a holy song of thanks (‘Heiliger Dankgesang’) to the divinity - from one made well'.
Although the quartets were neither understood nor appreciated by his contemporaries, they are now widely considered to be among the greatest musical compositions of all time.
SUPPER:
The concert will be followed by one of Michelle's delicious buffet suppers - which will accommodate carnivores, vegans and everyone inbetween! Red, white and pink wine on tap - or soft drinks if you prefer. All included in the price of yout ticket.
ABOUT THE PLAYERS:
As a result of Madeleine Mitchell’s Royal Philharmonic Society Award, the London Chamber Ensemble has recently released a short film with Russian quartets and Howells Luchinishka linked to the V&A Fabergé exhibition, with beautiful slides courtesy of Wartski - see the LCE website. Their most recent concert, the season opener for Kensington & Chelsea Music Society at Leighton House was sold out - read the review here.
The LCE gave a very successful live streamed concert celebrating A Century of Music by British Women (1921-2021), following their Naxos album of Grace Williams Chamber Music, no.2 in the Classical Charts.
Earlier this year they gave a concert for the Schubert Society of Great Britain and by return invitation will perform the Schubert Cello Quintet next summer in London.
To hear a short extract of Madeleine and her colleagues playing Schubert in the Highgate School Chapel check in to this post.
Location
33 Hampstead Lane, N6 4RT