A stimulating weekend of quartet playing with coaching from an exciting young string quartet, for accomplished groups who play together regularly.
STANDARD: CONFIDENT, SKILFUL.
Resident: £412 Non-Resident: £302 (25% off for under 27s) Code: 25/254
Booking for Members opens at 9am on Wednesday 27 November 2024
Non-Member and online booking opens at 9am on Monday 16 December 2024
For details on how to become a Member to take advantage of early booking, see here
What is the course about?
The Consone Quartet, leading their own course at Benslow Music for the first time, will work in-depth with pre-formed string quartets. Since launching in 2015, the Consones have won prizes, competitions and concert invitations globally and were notably the first period instrument string quartet to be selected as BBC New Generation Artists.
Participating quartets may play on either modern or historical instruments.
The course also includes a ticket to their concert on Friday 22 August. Please note that any quartets wishing to arrange a pre-course playing room on the first day must contact us prior to the course to avoid disappointment.
Tutor website: https://www.consonequartet.com/
What will we cover?
Most aspects of quartet playing will be discussed, including leading, achieving good ensemble, balance and intonation, exploring tonal colours, phrasing and musical style.
What will we accomplish? By the end of this course you will be able to…
You will have achieved a good working knowledge of your chosen work(s), enabling you to fulfil your potential, and will have discussed ideas of how to rehearse together more productively. There are no ‘quick fixes’ in performing chamber music, but you will get many useful tips that come from the tutors’ years of experience!
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Confident, Skilful
How will the course be taught, and will any preparation be required?
You will receive a coaching session from each of the four members of the Consone Quartet. You will find the course most beneficial if you are well prepared both individually and as a group. By all means choose repertoire which will challenge you, but also try to be realistic when selecting the works to be studied!
Will music be provided in advance of the course?
While they don't provide the scores, the quartet have provided a list of lesser-performed repertoire that they advocate and would be very happy to work on with attendees;
- Felix Mendelssohn - String Quartet in E-flat major from 1823 - no opus number. This is the first quartet Mendelssohn wrote.
- Fanny Mendelssohn - String Quartet in E-flat major.
- Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga (known as the Spanish Mozart) - 3 string quartets Available for free here.
- Franz Schubert - Most of us are familiar with Rosamunde, Quartetsatz and Death and the Maiden but we would recommend looking at some of the earlier string quartets. We have particularly enjoyed D. 46 in C major, D. 87 in E-flat major and D. 94 in D major. IMSLP here.
- Beethoven - String Quartet in F major, H. 34 (Beethoven's arrangement of Piano Sonata in E major, Op. 14, No. 1). Piano Sonata No. 9
- Boccherini Quartets - Lots of very short ones available (10 mins), to get a taste of the style. For example the quartets from op. 26 are lovely.
- George Onslow - known as the French Beethoven - some of his music is fiendish but there are some lovely options and some beautiful slow movements.
- Ferdinand Reis and Luigi Cherubini - two names that keep coming up, in relation to Beethoven with some lovely movements - also available free on IMSLP.
- Benslow Music members may be able to hire the music from our library.
Is there anything I need to bring?
A full score for the coach.