International award-winning quartet coming to the Mary Irwin Theatre
Social media is “lift(ing) the velvet curtains” on classical music, according to the BBC. In a recent article, the U.K. broadcaster cited recent research showing a widespread surge in popularity of classical music in general, particularly among younger generations.
Chamber Music Kelowna Society president Diane Bond sees this happening here, as the Society’s recent programming is bringing younger musicians and audiences out to concerts that have traditionally been the purview of an older demographic. She points to CMK’s upcoming concert on Feb. 5 as an excellent example of the new generational energy being brought to the music of small ensembles.
“The energetic young Marmen Quartet is fast becoming a big name in chamber music, with a growing reputation for the courage, vitality and intensity of its performances,” she said. “It is a truly global group, with members from Sweden, Switzerland, Ireland, and New Zealand, and we are delighted to have landed a spot on its touring calendar.”
The Quartet formed in 2013 at the Royal College of Music in London. In 2019, the Marmen Quartet won first prizes at both the Bordeaux International String Quartet competition and Banff International String Quartet competition, where they were also awarded the Haydn and Canadian Commission prizes.
Besides concerts in Calgary,
Kelowna, and Vancouver, the 2022/23 season will see the ensemble taking part in the Australian National Academy of Music’s Quartetthaus project, hosted in London by the Royal Albert Hall.
Other highlights include a return to London’s Wigmore Hall, and the quartet’s debut in Israel with a tour including performances in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
“The members of the Marmen Quartet bring an incredible depth of insight and interpretation to their performances,” says Dr. Patricia Tao, Artistic Director of Chamber Music Kelowna. “Our audience will
hear pieces from Haydn, Bartok, and Beethoven from the strings of truly masterful artists.”
The Kelowna concert takes place at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 5 in the Mary Irwin Theatre at the Rotary Centre for the Arts.
Dr. Tao will give a free pre-concert talk at 1:00 p.m. in the RCA’s Salloum Room. Currently, tickets to this concert are part of a special three-concert package that CMK is offering for $150. Full information is available on their website at chambermusickelowna.ca. Single tickets are also available, at adult and student prices.