Malvern Concert Club – Mark Bebbington & Coull Quartet

115th Season 2017-18

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Mark Bebbington piano

Coull Quartet:

Roger Coull violin

Philip Gallaway violin

Jonathan Barritt viola

Nicholas Roberts cello

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Villa-Lobos String Quartet No.5

Ian Venables Piano Quintet, Op.27

Brahms Piano Quintet in F minor, Op.34

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Formed in 1974, the Coull Quartet rapidly achieved national recognition, and were appointed Quartet-in-Residence by the University of Warwick in 1977, a post which they still hold today. The Quartet, which includes two of its founder members, has performed and broadcast extensively throughout the UK and worldwide. The Quartet has made over 30 recordings featuring a wide selection of the repertoire.

The critical plaudits which have greeted Mark Bebbington’s performances and recordings have singled him out as a British pianist of the rarest refinement and maturity. Now internationally recognised as a champion of British music, Mark has given concert and CD premières of major British composers. His John Ireland and Frank Bridge solo piano series on seven CDs earned him consecutive sets of 5-star reviews in BBC Music Magazine, a Gramophone ‘Editor’s Choice’, and an International Record Review ‘Outstanding’ accolade.

After a rarely performed string quartet by Villa-Lobos – a real discovery for the Coull Quartet – the artists come together to perform Worcester-based composer Ian Venables’ Piano Quintet (first heard at the 1995 Malvern Festival). Of their recording of this work, Gramophone said: ‘Venables can certainly pen a memorable melody … there’s no missing the emotion slumbering beneath the surface, especially in the central Largo espressivo and the touchingly serene epilogue to the whole work … this consistently shapely and highly communicative performance must have delighted the composer.’ Our concert ends with Brahms’ magnificent Piano Quintet.

Ticket price includes a £1 contribution to our heritage fund.