What
made you want to become musicians?
TG: My sister is a violinist and it seemed natural for me to take
up the violin as listening to her practice made up such a big part
of my childhood!
RW: My next door neighbour's mother was the local peripatetic music
teacher and it was compulsory for me to play a few notes on the
violin before I could see my friend.
MK: I took up violin at primary school and I started playing viola
in an orchestra when I was ten because they didn't have any.
AK: The lovely deep resonant sound of the cello, and listening to
Tortelier's Bach Suites in the car on the way to school.
How
often does the Quartet rehearse?
TG: When we are preparing for a big concert or learning new repertoire
we will rehearse together every day.
What
are your ambitions for the future?
TG: To perform the complete Beethoven cycle.
RW: To perform the complete Schubert cycle (hahaha).
MK: To be a successful chamber musician at the highest level.
AK: To be happy and successful.
What
are your favourite String Quartets?
TG: I love playing Haydn quartets as they are all so startlingly
original and the first violin parts are fun to play. I also adore
the middle Beethoven quartets.
RW: Anything by Schubert.
MK: Beethoven Op.130 and Schubert Rosamunde.
AK: Quartets by Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Mendelssohn and
Beethoven...too many to list!
How
long have you played together in the Quartet?
TG: Since September 2001, although we have had two changes of personnel
since then.
When
did you all start playing an instrument?
TG: When I was three years old, on a sixteenth-size violin!
RW: I was four or five.
MK: Eight years old.
AK: Eight years of age.
What
do you like about the Beethoven String Quartet in A Minor Op.132?
TG: That despite its tragic circumstances it is ultimately a triumphant
work full of optimism for life.
RW: I particularly enjoy the energy and relentless rhythmical drive
in the final movement.
MK: The third movement - I don't need to explain why.
AK: The fantastic cello writing.
What
do you gain from partipating in a Masterclass?
TG: The opportunity to gain inspiration from a master musician to
take a work to a new level, rather than simply to work at small
details.
RW: It is always wonderful to be won over by another musical interpretation.
MK: I relish the chance to explore new ideas that might not have
occurred to me.
AK: The chance to see the piece from a new perspective.
What
would you do if you were not a musician?
TG: I was interested in medicine when I was a child, but I do not
know if I would have had the perseverance to become a doctor!
RW: I would follow in the footsteps of my father who played rugby
for Wales.
MK: I always wanted to be a footballer until I found out I wasn't
strong enough.
AK: Engineering of some sort.
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