SOUvenirs En Quatuor

We are delighted to present the wonderful Gold Coast Piano Quartet in this afternoon concert. With their program ‘Souvenirs en Quatuor’ the four invite us into three distinguished masterworks from the quartet repertoire by Mozart, Turina and Saint-Saens.

Three Memories of three different periods, three composers, united in the expressions of one unanimous chamber quartet.

NIGEL BARDSLEY, VIOLIN

MARTIN LASS, VIOLA

Belinda Manwaring, Cello

SARKA BUDINSKA, PIANO

DATE & TIME


TICKETS

PROGRAM

Mozart’s two piano quartets are considered the first masterworks in the repertoire. Each of the three movements of his Quartet in E flat major K493, have very distinctive characteristics. The first is a happy blend between expressive and contrapuntal writing. The second movement is one of Mozart’s most eloquent. The Rondo finale is in concertante style with the pianist allowed to showcase their virtuosity. 

Turina composed his Piano Quartet soon after becoming professor at Madrid Conservatorium in 1930. Full of engaging Spanish idioms, this quartet flanks an exciting central scherzo with two lyrical movements. 

Saint-Saëns’ second piano quartet premiered in Paris in 1875 with the great violin virtuoso Pablo de Sarasate and the composer himself at the piano. Three themes from the quartet’s first three movements are quoted in the exciting finale- see if you can identify them! The challenge Mozart faces in K493, regarding balancing lyricism and intellectual contrapuntal styles, is met head on by Saint-Saëns. Each of his four movements solves the issue so creatively: for example, utilising small motifs or including Bach-style chorales, all contained in a magnificent structure. 

NIGEL BARDSLEY – VIOLIN

Since 2003 Nigel has been Head of Strings at All Saints Anglican School. He is also a member of faculty at the Cremona International Music Academy (Italy).  Nigel also conducts for the State Honours Program at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and regularly plays with the Rockhampton Symphony Orchestra. 

SARKA BUDINSKA – PIANO

Sarka is a graduate from the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Czech Republic. Since relocating to Australia, she has been active as a collaborative pianist, piano teacher and chamber musician. Beside being tutor and accompanist at The Southport School Sarka also holds the position of sessional accompanist at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and at the School of Music, University of Queensland.

Belinda Manwaring – Cello

Belinda studied at the Sydney Conservatorium with distinguished cellist Lois Simpson. In 1982 she was awarded a Queen Elizabeth 11 Silver Jubilee Award to study with Radu Aldulescu and Pierre Fournier in Switzerland, at the International Menuhin Music Academy. She has performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the ACO, The Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, where she was lucky enough to be playing at the last public performance of Dame Joan Sutherland. In 1988 she toured the USA as a member of The Sydney Symphony Orchestra and between 1985-88 performed frequently at the Newcastle Conservatorium where she taught cello. Belinda has performed in numerous solo and duo recitals, on both baroque and modern cello. Her chamber music concerts include performances at HOTA, 4 MBS FM Festival of Classics and The Robert Channon Winery concert series in Stanthorpe with The Arioso Chamber Ensemble, and The Gold Coast Piano Quartet. 

MARTIN LASS – VIOLA

Martin Lass is a violinist, violist, composer, and teacher. He trained at the NSW Conservatorium of Music under Robert Pikler, John Gould, and the legendary Lim Kek Tjiang (who is featured in the iconic book series, “The Way They Play”). Martin was a member of the Australian Chamber Orchestra in its foundation years, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra over a period of 20 years. He is a current member of the Gold Coast Chamber Orchestra. As a soloist, Martin has performed worldwide, alongside the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, Yehudi Menuhin, Julio Iglesias, Olivia Newton John and more, both in the classical and popular fields. His was awarded the Australian Variety Club Showman of the Year, the “Mo Award” for Australia’s Best Instrumentalist 7 years in a row, and has performed solo in three Royal Command performances for the Royal Family. He has produced 10 recordings, resulting in a “Gold Album” and an ARIA award nomination. As a strings teacher, Martin has had 40+ years of experience in his private studio and at prestigious schools across Australia, including fulfilling the role of Head or Coordinator of Strings at St. Joseph’s College (Sydney), Cranbrook School (Sydney), AB Paterson College (Gold Coast), John Paul College (Brisbane), and, currently, Hillcrest Christian College (Gold Coast).