If you could
play only one composer from now on, which would it be?
Rosie:
I’m guessing we are split between Haydn or Beethoven?
Nathaniel:
Beethoven or Bach; don't ask me to choose!
Emma:
Haydn
Tamsin:
Beethoven
What or who
inspired you to pursue a career as a professional musician?
Rosie: My
mum is a keen amateur and my first musical memories are of her having lessons
and playing with friends at home. As soon as I took up the violin I knew that I
wanted to be a musician...(which is why I switched to the viola ;))
Nathaniel:
We were all fortunate to be exposed to music very earlier on, either through
friends or family. From then on we were sold!
Tamsin:
I never really thought about being a professional musician I just always loved
playing!
Emma: My
older brother’s Suzuki class. I thought it looked really cool!
How would
you describe your perfect day?
Rosie:
It would definitely be a combination of good music, company, food, dogs and
weather!
Emma:
For me it would be practice time, quartet rehearsal, time with my kids, and a
slap up meal made by Tamsin.
Tamsin:
and a long walk!
What is your
most valued material possession?
Nathaniel:
We shan't disappoint; it has to be our instruments. They're our companions.
String
instruments can be very valuable (and pricey!) there was the story of the
musician who accidentally left a 2.4m Stradivarius on a train – have you had
any similar hair-raising incidents?
Rosie:
Not so far…
Nathaniel:
Well, I did drive off after a concert with a lovely instrument (whose owner
shall remain nameless) on the parcel shelf. A couple of miles down the road we
realised the boot wasn't properly shut and could have flown open at any
minute...
Working
together (and travelling) as a quartet must be a challenge at times – do you
all get on? What’s the habits that annoy you most about your fellow musicians?
Rosie: I
think everyone would say I eat all the snacks...!
Nathaniel:
That's a provocative question! I think it should remain unanswered in the name
of peace...
Tamsin:
…considering how much time we spend together we get on really well!
Emma: In
a Quartet you’re often in challenging situations and it’s lovely to have your
friends together to support each other.
Have you
been to Harrogate before, or have any connections to Yorkshire? If so, what?
Rosie:
My mum grew up in North Yorkshire, and was one of the first students at York
University. I’ve never been to Harrogate before but have wanted to visit for a
long time. I’m hoping I’ll have a chance to go to Betty’s… (After just reading
Robert Galbraith’s last Strike novel I really want to try the Betty’s Blend tea
and Fat Rascal scone!)
What can
audiences expect from your performance?
Nathaniel:
We're bringing a wonderful programme to Harrogate including a little heard but
fantastically exciting Dvorak quartet. There's also a heart wrenching short
piece by Suk and one of our favourite Haydn's: The Emperor.
How would
you convince someone who is a bit intimidated by classical music to come along?
Nathaniel:
It's an expressive medium and if you feel emotions you'll likely take something
from it! We certainly don't hold back! We would love for people to come and
experience it no matter what their prior experience, it couldn't matter less!
Give it a go and a whole new world could open up!
Rosie:
You’ll be part of something new and exciting that we’re creating on stage.
Tamsin: Nathaniel’s
right: we put a lot of emotion into our playing. I think sometimes there’s a
misconception about this because we play notes off a piece of paper. There are
many different ways for us to interpret them.