Wihan Quartet

A New Year’s Present from the Czech Republic Pre-concert talk by composer Robert Hugill at 5.30pm: Another vein of nationalism - Czech chamber music in the 19th and 20th centuries Leos Cepicky violin Jan Schulmeister violin Jakub Cepicky viola Ales Kasprik cello Janáček: String Quartet No.1 'Kreutzer Sonata' Smetana: String Quartet No.1 in E minor 'From my Life' Dvořák: String Quartet in E flat Op.51  The Wihan Quartet has developed an outstanding reputation for the interpretation of its native Czech heritage, and of the many classical, romantic and modern masterpieces of the string quartet repertoire. The Quartet has won many international competitions including The Prague Spring Festival and the Osaka Chamber Festa. In 1991, they won both the First Prize and the Audience Prize in the London International String Quartet Competition. Since that time they have developed an international career, which includes visits to major festivals in Europe and the Far East. They visit Japan regularly and have had highly acclaimed tours of the United States, Australia and New Zealand. The Quartet regularly coach at the Royal Academy of Music. They are great supporters of the work of the CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust, which gives inspirational concerts and masterclasses to young people throughout the UK. Tickets: £10. Free entry for people aged 8 – 25 (courtesy of the CAVATINA Ticket Scheme).  Doors open at 5.00pm. Concert kindly supported by the CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust.