PRINCIPAL
PLAYERS
Adam
Summerhayes - Leader/Violin
Adam
brings a huge breadth of experience to his directorship of London
Concertante. From the beginning of his career he has mixed chamber
music with solo work, having given concerto and recital performances
in Holland, France, Spain, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic,
Slovenia, Russia and Croatia as well as throughout the UK - all to
appreciable critical acclaim. His discography includes eight discs
with his piano trio and in duo with his wife Catherine Summerhayes.
Their world premiere performance and recordings of early works by
Copland received rave reviews in the national press and music
magazines - "to die for" wrote The Strad. Their recording
of works by Alan Bush fared equally well in the press, featuring as
critic's choice in Gramaphone magazine. He has given a great many
premiere performances of works for violin and piano - many of which
were written specially for him - and his recordings include three
discs of contemporary music.
His
expertise as a violinist also extends from period instrument Baroque
performance to a wide variety of folk styles - from Bluegrass to
Copanitza and the folk end of this spectrum informs his work as a
composer. His compositions have been broadcast on both Classic FM and
BBC Radio 3 and feature on four discs recorded by ZUM - the unique
and highly successful Gypsy Tango band of which his compositions and
distinctive brand of folk fiddling are a integral part.
“This
is a disc to die for….the disc is most worth having for Adam
Summerhayes’ excellent playing….superb playing from
all.” -Copland CD – The Strad
“I
cannot recommend it too highly” – Gramaphone Magazine
Matthew
Quenby - Principal Viola
Matthew was born in London in
1966 and began playing the violin at the age of 5. At 18, he changed
to viola and began his studies at the Royal Northern College of
Music, attending masterclasses with members of the Fitzwilliam,
Lindsay, Vermeer and Franz Schubert Quartets. He graduated in 1989
and was awarded the Hiles Gold Medal. In 1990, he was awarded a full
scholarship to study at the Banff Centre for the Fine Arts in Canada.
During his time there he gave many solo performances, including
broadcasts for Canadian National Radio.
On returning to Europe
in 1991, he became Principal Viola of the European Community Chamber
Orchestra as well as Assistant Musical Director. This led to solo
performances with the orchestra in Mexico, Bolivia, Argentina and
Italy. As soloist with other orchestras, he has appeared in France
and Germany, playing the Telemann Concerto in the Berlin
Philharmonie. Matthew has also appeared as Guest Principal Viola with
the Netherlands Bach Ensemble and as Co-Principal Viola with the
Philharmonia Orchestra.
Chris Grist - Principal
Cello
Chris
Grist studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has
since had an exceedingly varied career performing throughout the UK
and Europe as orchestral musician, chamber musician and recitalist.
As a chamber musician, Chris is cellist and founding member of
Metamorphosis chamber group and principal cellist of London
Concertante. He has performed throughout the country as soloist and
chamber musician.
"....Grist
gave a beautifully expansive rendering of the cello's reverent song.
Grist whispered his eulogy from heights of the fingerboard with
shimmering assurance......thoroughly appealing." The Strad
In London, Chris has performed
concertos and recitals at the Barbican Centre, South Bank, St. James'
Piccadilly, St. Martin-in-the-Fields as well as at Music Clubs and
Festivals throughout the UK. As a soloist, Chris has performed in
France, Spain, Germany, USA and Chile. Chris is also a member of ZUM
- the gypsy-tango band.
Ben Griffiths - Principal Bass
Benjamin Griffiths enjoys a busy and varied freelance career while living in London. Orchestral work includes BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, LSO, Britten Sinfonia and Orchestra Nova. He is also a founding member of the Manning Camerata and the Aurora Orchestra, and in 2004 was a member of Southbank Sinfonia.
As a chamber musician Ben has performed with numerous ensembles of very different genres, including the Johnston quartet, London Concertante, the Britton-Carvalho ensemble and is currently a guest member of the Royal Quartet, resident at the Wigmore Hall.
In March 2006 Ben was a soloist with violinist Freya Ritts-Kirby for a new album of Cecilia McDowell’s music.
Other players
include:
Matthew Scrivenor - Guest Leader, Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra
Maya Magub - 1st Violin in London Mozart
Players
Dania Alzapiedi - Co-principal 2nd Violin, BBC
Philharmonic
Julian Sperry - Guest Principal Flute, London Symphony
Orchestra