String Quartets | Beethoven | Shostakovich | DvořÁk

Performing again in the beautiful surroundings and vibrant acoustic of St Marie's Cathedral, members of the West Riding Ensemble bring three iconic chamber works to life in this concert of string quartets.

The key of C minor links two of the works, Beethoven employing it in typically stormy heroism in the fourth of his opus 18 quartets, whilst Shostakovich's 'Dresden' quartet (no 8) - often thought to be autobiographical - perhaps embodies more of the tragic than the heroic. Dvořák's 'American' quartet brings a lighter mood, reflecting the freedom the composer felt when visiting a Czech community in Iowa. All three works draw on 'folk' or indigenous tunes and influences.

PROGRAMME BEETHOVEN: quartet in C minor, op.18 no 4 SHOSTAKOVICH: quartet no 8 in C minor, op.110 DVORAK: quartet no 12 in F major, op. 96 ‘American’

PERFORMERS Maria Nikolaeva & David Milsom: violin Charlotte Kenyon: viola George Kennaway: cello