& THE CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET

MOZART & THE MENDELSSOHNS

19–21 April 2024 (mk 242)

The Castle Hotel, Taunton

Price: from £1,010

Musically illustrated talks by William Howard

William Howard piano

Carducci String Quartet:

Matthew Denton violin

Michelle Fleming violin

Eoin Schmidt-Martin viola

Emma Denton cello

William Howard is one of Britain’s leading pianists, with a career that has taken him to over 40 countries. Having founded the Schubert Ensemble in 1983, he performed with them for the 35 years of its existence. As a soloist, he has appeared at many of Britain’s major festivals and halls, and has enjoyed residencies at several. William has performed multiple times on BBC Radio 3, at Wigmore Hall, and at the South Bank. He is passionate about 19th-century piano repertoire, and is particularly active in the commissioning of new works. This will be William’s sixth appearance at The Castle since 2011 – and his second with the Carducci.

The Carducci String Quartet are described by The Strad as presenting ‘a masterclass in unanimity of musical purpose, in which severity could melt seamlessly into charm, and drama into geniality’. Founded in 1997, it has become one of the most versatile and accomplished ensembles of today, having mastered the core repertoire as well as branching out into contemporary genres. The group has won numerous international awards, including First Prize at Finland’s Kuhmo Chamber Music Competition, and has toured extensively within the UK and abroad.

These concerts offer a chance to explore some of Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel’s most striking music in the company of two composers close to her heart. Her Quartet, Piano Trio and piano cycle Das Jahr display an extraordinary confidence and originality and an engaging musical personality. Alongside four of Mozart’s most adventurous chamber works, the programmes also include Felix Mendelssohn’s grief-stricken String Quartet Op.80, written shortly after his sister’s death, and his sparkling and much-loved Piano Trio in D minor.

William Howard will provide further enlightenment in the form of musicallyillustrated talks within each concert.

Programme

FRIDAY 19 APRIL, 5.30pm

Mozart, Piano Quartet No.2 in E flat, K493

Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Pieces from Das Jahr (solo piano)

Felix Mendelssohn, String Quartet in F minor, Op.80

SATURDAY 20 APRIL, 10.30am

Felix Mendelssohn, Rondo Capriccioso, Op.14 (solo piano)

Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Piano Trio in D minor, Op.11

Mozart, String Quartet No.19 in C, K465 Dissonance

SATURDAY 20 APRIL, 5.30pm

Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Pieces from Das Jahr (solo piano)

Mozart, String Quartet No.17 in B flat, K458 The Hunt

Felix Mendelssohn, Piano Trio No.1 in D minor, Op.49

SUNDAY 21 APRIL, 10.30am

Felix Mendelssohn, String Quartet in A minor, Op.13

Mozart, Piano Quartet No.1 in G minor, K478

Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, String Quartet in E flat

Practicalities

Prices, per person. Two sharing: standard double £1,010; Garden Room £1,230. Single occupancy: single bedded room £1,010; double for sole use £1,130.

Included: four concerts, talks on the music, accommodation for two nights, breakfasts, two afternoon teas, two dinners, interval drinks, programme, tips for hotel staff.

Start and finish times. The event begins on Friday 19th April with afternoon tea available from 3.00–5.00pm (check in is from 3.00pm). The final concert ends at c. 12.50pm on Sunday 21st April.

Tickets to individual concerts: £30 mornings, £35 evenings. Interval refreshments and a programme are also included.

Hotel information: see page 10. Booking information: see page 13.

Audience member at ‘William Howard & the Carducci String Quartet’ in 2021.