Music Chamber

The Orfeas Ensemble is a flexible mixed chamber group born from the Orfeas String Quartet's desire to explore larger chamber repertoire from Baroque Concerti to Schubert's 'Trout' Quintet to contemporary works written specifically for them. 

 

The Ensemble has a close collaboration with several young composers, it has premiered works including Denise Mangiardi's String Quartet, A Greek in New York and Iskele by William Attwood. As principles of the London Strings the ensemble gave the British Premier of Sea Rain  by Ezio Bosso at St John's Church Notting Hill. They gave the premier of Mario Ferraro's brazilian opera The Moonflower at City University. Recently the ensemble broadcast on the Voice of America Amir Sadeghi Konjani's 'Battle of Britain' for string quartet and clarinet and performed Aziza Sadikova's Kamni dedicated to them for String Quartet, percussion and tape at the Grosvenor Chapel in March 2011, this performance was subsequently broadcast by the BBC.

 

In addition the Orfeas Ensemble has given performances of Baroque works, they have a passion for performing Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' and Bach's Brandenburg Concertos and have worked extensively with the London Ripeno Choir accompanying performances of Choral works by Buxtehude, Vivaldi, Bach, Faure, Rossini and Geoffrey Hanson making regular appearances at the East Finchley Arts Festival. The Orfeas Ensemble form the principles of the London European Orchestra and London Strings performing at St John's Smith Square, the Cadogan Hall and at the Notting Hill May Fest this year.

 

As a string quartet they have performed at the Royal Festival Hall and made apperances in Festivals and Concerts through out England they are closely affiliated to St Martin-in-the-Fields where they often perform.   Their repertoire is varied from Purcell's Chaconne, through Haydn's 'Lark' to Dvorak's 'American' to the music of today.  "The Orfeas String Quartet offers a rare blend of professionalism and passionate musicality that sees its  members equally at home contributing a touch of class to a special event or even in the spotlight on the concert stage.  St Martin-in-the-Fields is pleased to continue to work with this accomplished ensemble.' 

Jennifer lang, St Martin-in-the-Fields, London