String brilliance

Saturday 9th November, 7:30pm

We have the great pleasure of looking forward to hearing these terrific players: Tristan Gurney (violin), Martin Bloor (viola) and Rachel Threlfall (cello), who will play Bach - Three Part Inventions BWV 787-801, Beethoven - String Trio in C Minor Op.9 No.3, Martinu - 3 Madrigals for Violin and Viola, and Dohnányi - Serenade in C major for String Trio, Op 10.

Tickets £15 (£12.50 in advance) https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/pentagon-ensemble/e-elyzop

Pentagon String Ensemble have performed together for many years. Individually the members have performed as Principal players with orchestras including London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and as chamber musicians they have collaborated with such artists as Alfred Brendel, Thomas Zehetmair, Heinz Holliger, Christian Zacharias, the Soloists of the Philharmonia and the Soloists of the LPO.

Tristan Gurney enjoys a wide-ranging career as a director, soloist, chamber and orchestral violinist. He established himself on the British chamber music scene as leader of the Edinburgh Quartet (2007-2016). During his time with the quartet, Tristan collaborated with many esteemed artists such as harpist Isobelle Moretti, tenor Andrew Staples, clarinetist Maximilliano Martin and flautist Juliette Bausor and worked closely with composers such as Sir James Macmillan, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Helen Grime, Tom Harrold and Howard Blake. The Edinburgh Quartet released several CDs with Tristan, including, recordings of Matyas Seiber Quartets, Robert Crawford Quartets and Haydn, Shostakovich and Prokofiev Quartets all to great acclaim. Their disc of Sir James MacMillan String Quartets was awarded a ‘Critics Choice’ and included in the list of best recordings of 2014 in Gramophone Magazine. Tristan is currently the Curator of Chamber Music at Sage Gateshead. In addition to programming, it is a role that draws on his Chamber Music expertise, joining his friends and colleagues at Royal Northern Sinfonia as a director, soloist and chamber player. Tristan combines his responsibilities at Sage Gateshead with a flourishing freelance career, regularly collaborating with chamber music colleagues and guesting as a principal player with orchestras such as the London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Philharmonia, Academy of St Martin in the Fields and Scottish Chamber Orchestra. He is also Principal Second of Scottish Ensemble which performs at prestigious venues and festivals worldwide and has a regular series at Wigmore Hall, London. Tristan studied the violin at the Royal Nothern College of Music with Yossi Zivoni and then at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto with Lorand Fenyves and plays on a Ferdinand Gagliano Violin.

Martin Bloor studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and as a student was the recipient of the Rachel Godlee Memorial Prize for Viola as well as being awarded many prizes for chamber music performances. Upon graduating he took up a position with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. This was followed by an appointment as Sub-Principal viola of Northern Sinfonia. During his time at the orchestra he was involved in frequent chamber music projects with Principal members of the orchestra as well as with such artists as Heinz Holliger, Thomas Zehetmair and Ruth Killius including performances in the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. He also performed as soloist with the orchestra. Since leaving Northern Sinfonia in 2007 he has led a busy and diverse career based in London. He has played Guest Principal with orchestras including RTE Dublin, London Concert Orchestra, London Musical Arts Orchestra, Mozart Festival Orchestra, Lancashire Sinfonietta and BBC National Orchestra of Wales in venues i ncluding the Barbican, Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall and St. Martin in the Fields as well as performing with the Philharmonia and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras. Recent solo performances have included Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.6 with Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra and performances with the Soloists of The Philharmonia. More recently he has combined chamber music with teaching commitments.

Rachel Threlfall studied the cello with Leonard Gorokhov at the Royal College of Music and performed in master classes with Stephen Isserlis, Ralph Kirshbaum and Raphael Wallfisch. Since graduating in 2002 Rachel has pursued a busy freelance career in London. She has worked regularly with a variety of ensembles and orchestras including The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Rachel toured for several years with English Touring Opera and the Carl Rosa Opera Company and in small opera productions involving solo string sections. As a chamber musician Rachel has performed in some of the UKs most prestigious venues including St Martin in the Fields, Queen Elizabeth Hall, St James Piccadilly, National Gallery and the music room at the V&A museum. Rachel performed the world premiere performance of Nicola Moro composition War, eight poems by Harold Pinter performed by 2 voices, five solo Cellos and Piano. She has also performed in art exhibitions including collaborating with contemporary artist Martin Creed. As a recording artist Rachel’s solo projects have included several recordings for BBC Radio, including collaborating with playwright Joanna Lawrence for Radio 3’s “The Wire” and appeared as solo cello on the soundtrack to BBC Radio 4’s production of Les Miserables. She has also been involved in several recording sessions for pop artists, TV adverts and computer games As well as pursuing an active performance career Rachel has been able to balance her teaching commitments having taught cello from beginner to professional standard. She has held a teaching post at Stowe School and currently teaches the cello at Lady Margaret’s School, Chelsea. She has been involved in educational projects with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Philharmonia. Rachel performs on a George Crask cello.