Flinders Quartet And Timo-Veikko Valve: Schubert Gala

Flinders Quartet, Melbourne’s premier string quartet, makes its debut appearance at North Sydney’s Independent Theatre this June as part of the Winter Concert Series, with special guest cellist, Timo-Veikko Valve in a program of chamber pieces for strings by Schubert, Boccherini and Sculthorpe.

Australia’s much loved composer, Peter Sculthorpe said that he viewed his whole output as one slowly emerging work. The same can be said of Luigi Boccherini and Franz Schubert. Each of the works selected epitomises the canon of these three masters of chamber music.

Flinders Quartet comprising violinists Shane Chen and Nicholas Waters, violist Helen Ireland and cellist Zoe Knighton, is recognised as one of Australia’s most loved and respected chamber music ensembles. Flinders continues its second decade with acknowledged musical skill and maturity. Its dynamic and stirring performances of broad-ranging repertoire have impressed audiences and critics. It regularly commissions and premieres works by Australian composers like Elena Kats-Chernin, Katy Abbott, Ross Edwards, Richard Mills, Paul Dean, Andrew Ford and Ian Munro with commissions and arrangements by Calvin Bowman and Iain Grandage planned for later this year.

Scandinavian-born and trained Timo-Veikko “Tipi” Valve is one of the most versatile cellists of his generation performing as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral leader on both modern and period instruments. He has performed internationally, premiering concerti by Finnish composers. He is a leading member of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and founding member of Jousia Ensemble and Jousia Quartet. He plays a 1616 Amati cello.

Flinders Quartet founding cellist Zoe Knighton says the Schubert Quintet is “crammed full of those moments that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. We have been itching to play with Tipi for so many years as we adore his approach to music-making. We can’t believe that moment is finally here!”

One notable feature of the Boccherini ‘Fandango’ Quartet is that the second cellist is required to also play castanets! Knighton takes on the challenge with both seriousness and good humour.

The programme:
Peter Sculthorpe – String Quartet No. 18*/Luigi Boccherini – String Quintet in G major Fandango/ Franz Schubert – String Quintet in C major, D.956

Tickets: $37 Adult, $27 Concession, $15 student , $10 child. Includes complimentary refreshments at interval

Bookings ph: 9955 3000 or online at www.theindependent.org.au­
*commissioned for Flinders Quartet by Peter and Leila Doyle