Solas Quartet

Katherine Hunka, violin
Marja Gaynor, violin
Cian Ó Dúill, viola
Aoife Nic Athlaoich, cello

Haydn - String Quartet in G major Op.76 No.1 [1797]
Dave Fennessy - felt [2002]
Trad arr. Nikolaj Busk- Two Danish tunes from Wood Works
Smetana - Quartet No.1 ‘From My Life’ [1876]

The Solas Quartet is a Cork-based group led by Irish Chamber Orchestra leader Katherine Hunka. For their fourth NSQF tour they bring another programme full of variety and originality. Haydn’s celebrated G major quartet Op.76 No.1 is one the greats, its playful opening movement followed by a gorgeous chorale, a witty scherzo and a virtuosic finale. Dave Fennessy’s musical career has progressed from school rock band, through guitar and composition studies in Dublin and Glasgow, and on to winning numerous international accolades for his music. The Danish Quartet’s album of arrangements of Danish folk tunes Wood Works has attracted a huge following and the Solas Quartet brings you two of the best of them. Smetana’s autobiographical masterpiece From My Life is always a highlight of any programme; through its four movements, this extaordinary quartet truly conveys a sense of the span of a lifetime.

supported by the Arts Council and RTE Lyric FM