Lady Barbirolli is one of our most distinguished and best-loved artists. An oboe player of the first rank, whose charm and friendliness have an immediate appeal. Under her maiden name of Rothwell, she became internationally known and her concert tours have taken her all over the world from Australia to America. Iris Loveridge has one of the largest repertoires of any living pianist. Her recitals to Music Clubs all over the country have always brought large and enthusiastic audiences. She is also well-known for her appearances at Promenade Concerts and on television and is frequently heard on the radio. As the Duo Barbirolli, these outstanding artists undertake many recitals each season and several eminent composers have written works for them.
This quartet, made up of talented young players, was formed in 1971 and in January 1974 was appointed resident string quartet to a college at Hatfield in Hertfordshire. They have given many concerts in London and have appeared at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the 1973 Bath Festival. The quartet’s repertoire is extensive, ranging from the established classics to works by present-day composers.
Another link with the famous name of Barbarolli comes in the Halle Brass Consort formed in 1961 from amongst the brass players of the Halle Orchestra. It is a quintet of two trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba, and with such a group it is possible to enjoy most of the repertoire of the last three centuries. In recent years many concerts have been given to concert and radio audiences not only at home but abroad, during the orchestra’s travels.
We remember with pleasure hearing all seven of the ensemble (string quartet plus harp, flute and clarinet) at previous concerts at the Peak Music Society and now look forward to the opportunity of welcoming them back collectively in the recently formed Allegri-Robles Ensemble. Marisa Robles and her husband Christopher Hyde-Smith are perhaps the most established flute and harp duo in Europe and have had many works written for them. Jack Brymer is often seen and heard on television and radio, not only as a performer, but also talking on musical topics. He has recorded most of the important works for his instrument and is now principal clarinet with the London Symphony Orchestra and was a founder member of several well-known ensembles. The Allegri String Quartet has toured extensively and in little more than ten years has become one of the best-known, most praised quartets in the world, Each of the four artists is of solo calibre and has performed as soloist with well-known orchestras.