Having performed the 3rd and final Razumovsky Quartet in 2023 at QUB Townsend Ensemble are returning with the first Opus 59 Quartet in F Major.  This large, monumental work is longer than five of his symphonies and more than twice the length of some of his earlier quartets.  It was so ground breaking at the time that when questioned about the technical difficulties and unconventional ideas Beethoven’s response was “Oh, it’s not for you, but for a later age.”  The piece is full of both joy and sadness.  The extremely beautiful second movement contained the note “A weeping willow or an acacia on the grave of my brother”.  Commissioned for the cellist and Patron of Beethoven Count Razumovsky, he acknowledges him by beginning with the main theme of the piece in the cello and finishing with a Russian folk theme in his honour.  The joyous nature of this last movement quickly counters the sadness of the slow movement and it finishes with rhythmic drive and virtuosity all round.

Players featuring in this concert will be:

Thomas Jackson  (Violin 1)  

Alys Jackson  (Violin 2)

Giammaria Tesei  (Viola)    

David Edmonds  (Cello)