The Mavron String Quartet
Formed in September 2002 the Mavron Quartet is one of Wales’ most exciting
and talented ensembles. Following its success in the inaugural CAVATINA Chamber
Music Competition at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2003, the
quartet was appointed Junior Fellows in chamber music at the college in 2004.
Later that year, the ensemble successfully auditioned for the Live Music Now!
scheme. The Musicians Benevolent Fund has generously given the quartet a financial
award to support its development.
The quartet performs throughout the UK and since autumn 2005, the Mavron Quartet
has been ensemble in residence at The Gate Arts Centre, Cardiff, presenting
regular recitals. As well as its public performances, the quartet appears frequently
at the private residence of the American Ambassador to the UK, Windsor Castle
and Lancaster House with guests such as HM the Queen, PM Gordon Brown and various
members of the royal family. Venturing further afield, the quartet was invited
to Romania for the 2007 Tiberius Chamber Music Festival to give a series of
recitals supported by Wales Arts International. Recitals have also taken the
quartet to Ischia, Italy at the invitation of Lady Suzanna Walton and to Brussels
for the Klara Music Festival. In 2007 at the Wales Millennium Centre, the quartet
was ensemble in residence for the debut British hosting of the European Harp
Symposium Arpa Viva. Recently, the quartet gave a recital at the Leeds College
of Music which closed the 2009 Leeds International Concert Series.
With support from a variety of funders, the Mavron Quartet has commissioned
and performed a number of collaborative pieces. In 2008 the quartet featured
in Waiting, a solo dance and string quartet piece by Joanna Young with composition
by James Williams. The following year, with support from the Arts Council of
Wales, the quartet toured in the UK a commissioned work, Boulevard of Broken
Dreams, by Charlie Barber, with dance choreographed by Jean Abreu. Later in
2009, the quartet performed a commissioned work by Dave Stapleton, with support
from the PRS Foundation for new music. The world premier took place at the
Gate Arts Centre and a tour is planned for the autumn.
The quartet enjoys a close affiliation with Ty Cerdd recording studio, based
at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. Other studio work sees the quartet
featured on many recordings, such as Poney Express’ debut album; Alex
Parks’ album Honesty and Judie Tzuke’s album End of The Beginning.
More recently the quartet recorded for The Saw Doctors at Rockfield studios
and has played live with the Gentle Good at the 2009 Glastonbury Festival.
The quartet is currently undertaking educational and outreach work for both
the CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust, Live Music Now! scheme and various sponsors.
