The Dante Quartet, one of the UK’s finest ensembles, is known for its imaginative programming and impassioned performances. The Quartet was founded in 1995 and chose its name to reflect the idea of an epic journey. The Quartet has been honoured with the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for Chamber Music and has also received international awards for its recordings.

Their programme begins with Beethoven’s Op.135, his last completed work, which was premiered a year after the composer’s death. They devote the rest of the evening to British music, firstly Ian Venables’ Invite to Eternity, inspired by the works of the Northamptonshire-born poet John Clare (1793-1864). A selection of songs by Gloucester composer Ivor Gurney completes the first half, before the Dante conclude their recital with Elgar’s String Quartet, composed in 1918 during a highly productive period which also saw the composition of the Violin Sonataand the Piano Quintet.

Beethoven | Quartet in F Op.135
Venables | Invite to Eternity Op.31
Gurney | Arr. Ian Venables: By a Bierside
Gurney | Arr. Ian Venables: In Flanders
Gurney | Arr. Ian Venables: Severn Meadows
Gurney | Arr. Ian Venables: Lights Out
Elgar | Quartet Op.83

Brian Thorsett • tenor
Zoë Beyers • violin
Ian Watson • violin
Carol Ella • viola
Richard Jenkinson • cello