Ora Quartet

The Ora Quartet is one of a new generation of fine quartets performing regularly and building a strong following. Their programme for this tour offers four strikingly contrasted quartets.

Haydn's F major quartet is the most concise of his famous set of Prussian Quartets from 1786, nicknamed The Dream after the calm, otherworldly slow movement. Poised and elegant as always, Haydn delights in playful textures and unexpected turns, particularly in the mischievous final movement.

Alex Dowling's Breathers is a collection of pieces that guide your breath. The composer writes: In recent years I began practicing meditation as a way to help with various health and autoimmune issues… I would usually do the meditation in silence but, after a while, I decided to try and write something that might serve as a backdrop. A type of music that could help with concentration and going deeper, but also something that I'd actually want to listen to.

Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 11 (1966) is dedicated to the memory of Vasily Shirinsky and, in seven short connected movements, reflects on loss with tenderness, humour, anger and grief.

Schumann's A minor quartet is the first of his three extraordinary quartets which inhabit the fervent, lyrical world of Romanticism. At its heart, the slow movement is one of his most beautiful creations, unfolding with a quiet, glowing warmth. The finale brings the concert to a rousing end.

Limited capacity. Book in advance to secure tickets.