WEEKEND CONCERT SERIES
MAXWELL STRING QUARTET
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 1:30 PM
CALDERWOOD HALL
Henry Purcell Fantasias (c. 1680)
Franz Joseph Haydn String Quartet No. 67 in F major, Op. 77, No. 2 (Hob. III:82) (1799)
Eleanor Alberga Clouds (1984)
anon. Traditional Scottish folk music
Scotland’s own Maxwell String Quartet presents a chamber music program of Purcell, Haydn, and Scottish folk melodies. The concert opens with some of Purcell’s extraordinary Fantasias, originally composed for viols (a rare treat to hear on modern strings).

In 1799, Haydn set out to fulfill a commission of six string quartets for Joseph Franz von Lobkowitz, a significant sponsor of both Haydn and Beethoven in Vienna. Although Lobkowitz had commissioned Haydn to write six quartets, only two were completed and were eventually published together as Opus 77, the latter of which will be performed this afternoon.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, UK-based Eleanor Alberga became deeply ingrained in modern dance at the London Contemporary Dance Theatre. The company would go on to commission Alberga to write several pieces for dance, including this piano quintet, Clouds, which Maxwell will perform with acclaimed pianist Awadagian Pratt.

Maxwell String Quartet is Colin Scobie, violin; George Smith, violin; Elliott Perks, viola; and Duncan Strachan, cello.