Scotland's leading quartet, The Edinburgh Quartet, are to be in residence at the University of Glasgow for 3 years commencing this month. As part of their residency they will give nine public concerts on campus, and provide workshops with student performers and composers within the Music Department.

The Edinburgh Quartet has an international profile and is Scotland's only full-time chamber ensemble.

"We're really delighted about this residency this year and the quality of performance and musicianship that the Quartet will bring to the University's public concert series," explains Anne Cumberland the University's Music Development Officer.

"Clearly this is an excellent opportunity for us to collaborate and learn from such respected musicians. In addition to hosting the Quartet's Glasgow Concert Series, our Music students will benefit hugely from the professional experience brought to their teaching sessions."

The Quartet has recently been involved in a research project with Professor Graham Hair of the Music Department. 2005 was the centenary of Hungarian composer Matyas Seiber (1905-1960) and Professor Hair has written a book examining his work. In celebration of this forthcoming book performances of Seiber's quartets first took place at the University and later at Emmanuel College Cambridge, the Hungarian Cultural Centre in London, and on BBC Radio in celebration of the centenary.

The first performance of their University residency will take place on Thursday 29 September at 5.45pm in the University's Concert Hall and will feature Mozart's String Quartet in G major, K387 and new work by Professor Hair entitled "Five Senses". The female vocal ensemble Scottish Voices will join the Quartet for this performance.

The new residency with the Edinburgh Quartet compliments the existing framework of professional collaborations set up to benefit the University community and its students. These include working with the Dunedin Consort, Scottish Voices, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Opera Orchestra and the Paragon Ensemble which is already successfully in residence in the Music Department.

Future appearances at the University can be found at: www.gla.ac.uk/concerts.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For further details please contact Anne Cumberland on 0141 330-4092.

Fuller details can be found at:

www.gla.ac.uk/concerts

www.edinburghquartet.com

The residency has been made possible by the generosity of the Dunard Fund, a major supporter of the arts in Scotland.

First published: 22 September 2005