MEDIA RELEASE 5th April 2009
A VINTAGE YEAR FOR STRING QUARTETS
“The International Jury was impressed by the dedication and commitment shown by all participants to the great tradition of the string quartet. The extremely high standard shows that chamber music is alive and well and in this, the thirtieth year since the Competition was founded, we are delighted that these young advocates have chosen to continue to promote the art of the string quartet as an important and living form of music-making throughout the world” John Gilhooly, Director, Wigmore Hall on behalf of the International Jury.
Tonight, a packed and enthusiastic audience at Wigmore Hall gave a rousing reception to the 12 gifted young string players from around the world who performed in the Final of the Eleventh London International String Quartet Competition 2009, widely acknowledged as one of the world’s leading competitions of its kind. Originally the brainchild of Yehudi Menuhin, the International Competition is held triennially and was the centrepiece of London String Quartet Week 30th March-6th April 2009, organised by The London String Quartet Foundation.
In exhilarating performances, the audience heard The Danish String Quartet (Denmark) in Brahms Op. 51 No 1 in C minor; the Signum Quartet (Germany) in Ravel Quartet in F major and the Quatuor Voce (France) in Schubert D810 No 14 in D minor 'Death and the Maiden'.
Prizes were awarded as follows:
First Prize: The Danish String Quartet
Second Prize: Quatuor Voce
Third Prize: Signum Quartet
Audience Prize: Signum Quartet
The winners receive cash prizes totalling over £27,500 and for the First Prize winners there is the
opportunity to record a disc with Landor Records; a month's residency in Banff and recital tours in the
UK and Germany.
Founded in January 2001 and with its current formation in place since September 2008, The Danish
String Quartet is comprised of Rune Sørensen – violin (Denmark); Frederik Øland – violin (Denmark);
Asbjørn Nørgaard – viola (Denmark) and Fredrik Sjølin – cello (Norway).
The London String Quartet Foundation is devoted to the discovery and development of talent and
audiences for the string quartet through musical and educational events at which both established and
younger talented string quartets are showcased. Past winners of the International Competition have
included the Takács Quartet; the Hagen Quartet; the Alexander Quartet; the Vanbrugh Quartet and the
Wihan Quartet.
London String Quartet Foundation Chairman Bob Boas commented: “It has been another great
Competition attracting excellent young quartets from a wide range of countries. The performances of
the 20th century Quartets and Thomas Adès' Arcadiana, Op. 12 (the compulsory piece) in particular
have been outstanding”.
Contact: Karen Pitchford, KHJ Communications Ltd / Tel: 020 8292 2862 /email: karen_pitchford@lineone.net
