Visit of Sacconi Quartet with Composer Eleanor Alberga

On Thursday 23 February Alleyn’s welcomed the acclaimed Sacconi Quartet to the Music school to give a series of masterclasses with many of the school's chamber musicians. Leading British composer, Eleanor Alberga also gave a masterclass in composition to three of the School's senior composers. The day was completed with a tremendous concert given in the MCT at Alleyn's by the Sacconi Quartet performing Haydn's String Quartet Op. 64 No. 2 in B minor, Schubert's String Quartet No. 14 in D minor Death and the Maiden D.810 and Eleanor Alberga's String Quartet No. 2, which was introduced by the composer herself.

Alleyn's Year 10 pianist, Ugo, performed a piece by Robert Schumann in a piano quintet for the masterclass with Sacconi Quartet violinist Ben Hancox.

Ugo commented:

“I had a wonderful experience with the violinist of the Sacconi Quartet in the Lanchbery Recital Room. He was very detailed and precise in what sound he wanted us to achieve while we were playing, and he wanted us to perfect the marching feel of the piece, and to subdivide in the right time signature! He also wanted to hear our opinions on the emotions of the piece, which made the whole quintet feel more included in the decision-making of certain aspects of the piece.”

Towards the end of the afternoon, composer Eleanor Alberga joined Alleyn’s musicians to lead a composition workshop.

Assistant Director of Music (Academic), Chris Fish said:

“The composition workshop was a great opportunity for our students to work with a composer of considerable stature. Her detailed comments gave superb insight into the work of all three students involved.”

Summing up the thrilling evening concert, Jonathan Beatty, Assistant Director of Music (Performance) said:

“The evening concert given by the Sacconi Quartet featured mainstays of the Viennese classical repertoire in Haydn and Schubert, in which the artists demonstrated an extraordinary range of colour and mood, with breathtakingly quiet moments that held the audience rapt.

“In between these works, composer Eleanor Alberga introduced her second quartet. This was a short but kaleidoscopic work of huge and at times brutal intensity and contrast and was thrillingly delivered by these four extraordinary string players. What an experience for our own young chamber musicians! I was delighted that so many attended the concert and were so clearly moved and inspired by what they had heard.”

The Alleyn's International Concert Series began in 2009, welcoming some of the world’s most prestigious musicians to Alleyn’s to perform for pupils, staff and the wider community.

The series continues in May with a visit from the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Full details and ticket booking information can be found here on our website.