The Alberni String Quartet was formed at the Royal Academy of Music in London and since 1963 has been resident quartet to Harlow in Essex. It consists of four Englishmen, all fine musicians, who have developed an unusually close sense of teamwork. They have toured extensively, made radio and television appearances and have given many broadcasts for the BBC. A series of recitals at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London forms the focal point each season for their activities in Great Britain where they were the first quartet ever invited to appear at Covent Garden.
Andreas Schiff‘s magical performance at the Leeds 1975 Piano Contest gained him third prize. Born in Budapest in 1953, he began his musical studies at the age of five and won several prizes at National Youth Contests. In 1968 he went to the ‘Ferenc Liszt’ Academy of Music in Budapest and the following year was a prizewinner at the International Chamber Music Competition organised by Radio Prague. He has toured extensively with great success and in 1973 was awarded first prize at the ‘Leo Weiner’ International Chamber Music Competition. 1974 proved a landmark when Andreas Schiff won fourth prize at the Tchaikovsky International Piano Contest in Moscow.
The Clifton Trio consists of Angela Beale (soprano), Angela Malsbury (clarinet) and David Pettit (piano). Miss Malsbury is Professor of Clarinet at the Birmingham School of Music. Her husband, David Pettit, is Principal Conductor of the Bristol Concert Orchestra and gives regular organ recital broadcasts.
Formed in 1971, this early music group performs for Music Clubs and Societies throughout Great Britain and makes regular appearances at the Wigmore Hall and Purcell Room. Christopher Ball studied the clarinet at the Royal Manchester College of Music and later became a member of the Halle Orchestra. Under his direction five members of the consort will be performing and their versatility allows for the use of a wide variety of old instruments.