Bohuslav Martinu: Chamber Works Schubert Ensemble

• Bohuslav Martinů (1890 - 1959): Piano Quartet, H 287 (1942):
• 1 I. Poco Allegro 06:23
• 2 II. Adagio 09:10
• 3 III. Allegretto poco moderato 08:13
• Quartet, H 315 (1947):
• 4 I. Moderato poco allegro 05:02
• 5 II. Adagio - Andante - III. Poco allegro 06:49
• Duo No. 2, H 371 (1958):
• 6 I. Allegretto 03:01
• 7 II. Adagio 04:36
• 8 III. Poco allegro 03:22
• Piano Trio No. 3, H 332 (1951):
• 9 I. Allegro moderato 07:06
• 10 II. Andante 05:34
• 11 III. Allegro 06:46
• Total Runtime 01:06:02

Info for Bohuslav Martinu: Chamber Works

Commemorating 50 years since Martinu’s death, the Birmingham Conservatoire’s Ensemble-in-Residence, The Schubert Ensemble, together with the Conservatoire’s Principal, George Caird, perform a varied programme by this prolific Czech composer, who spent much of his life in exile. The recording illustrates both his versatility and his fantastically colourful musical language, and culminates in the exhilarating piano quartet, which is considered to be one of Martinu’s finest chamber compositions from his American years. It was immediately after completing this work that Martinu embarked upon writing the first of his six substantial symphonies, major contributions to the symphonic legacy of the first half of the twentieth century. Two of the other works on this disc were also written in his during his stay in America – Piano Trio No.3, and Quartet for oboe, violin and piano. Duo No.2 in D for violin and violoncello completes the programme. After 26 years at the forefront of British chamber music, the Schubert Ensemble is firmly established as one of the world’s leading exponents of chamber music for piano and strings.

< “The Schubert Ensemble responds superbly to the Piano Quartet and the Trio with a clear sense of involvement in Martinu's musical language and their performances of the slow movements are particularly memorable.” (BBC Music Magazine)

Martinu: Piano Quartet No. 1, H. 287
Quartet for Oboe, Violin, Cello & Piano, H. 315
Piano Trio No. 3 in C major, H332
Duo for Violin and Cello No. 2, H. 371

George Caird, Oboe
Schubert Ensemble


Bohuslav Martinu: Piano Quartet No. 1, H. 287
I. Poco Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegretto poco moderato
Bohuslav Martinu: Oboe Quartet, H. 315
I. Moderato poco allegro
II. Adagio - Andante - III. Poco allegro
Bohuslav Martinu: Duo No. 2 in D major, H. 371
I. Allegretto
II. Adagio
III. Poco allegro
Bohuslav Martinu: Piano Trio No. 3 in C major, H. 332
I. Allegro moderato
II. Andante
III. Allegro

The Schubert Ensemble
The Schubert Ensemble has established itself over 27 years as one of the world’s leading exponents of music for piano and strings. Regularly giving over 50 concerts a year, the Ensemble has performed in over 40 different countries. In 1998 the Ensemble’s contribution to British musical life was recognized by the Royal Philharmonic Society when it presented the group with the Best Chamber Ensemble Award, for which it was shortlisted again in 2010.

Musicians:
William Howard (Piano)
Simon Blendis (violin)
Jane Salmon (cello)
Douglas Paterson (viola)
Peter Buckoke (double bass)

Professor George Caird
Following study in London and Cambridge, George Caird pursued a freelance career as an oboist which included orchestral playing, chamber music and solo engagements. He has worked with many of London’s major orchestras including the London Philharmonic, BBC Symphony and City of London Sinfonia and particularly as a member of The Academy of St Martin in the Fields from 1984 to 1991. He has also been a member of a number of leading ensembles, notably as a founder-member of the Albion Ensemble and the George Caird Oboe Quartet.

George has toured for the British Council in China, the Far East, India, Egypt, Tunisia and Canada as well as performing in concerts and broadcasts in most European countries. He has recorded for Chandos, Nimbus, Hyperion, Meridian and Proudsound labels with solo and chamber music repertoire (see below).

George has been involved in many areas of music education: teaching, devising educational programmes, coaching chamber ensembles, conducting and coaching youth orchestras and teaching. He was appointed a professor of oboe at the Royal Academy of Music in 1984 where he became Head of Woodwind in 1987 and Head of Orchestral Studies in 1991. From 1993 to 2010, George was Principal of Birmingham Conservatoire and he remains closely associated with the Conservatoire's development.

George has sat on adjudication panels for BBC Young Musician of the Year, the Audi Junior Musician, the Shell-LSO Competition, the YCAT awards and the Chamber Music Competition for Schools.

Amongst his many other professional commitments (see below), George chaired the Learning and Skills Council Music Review for Birmingham and Solihull 2003/4 and was the President of the Incorporated Society of Musicians for 2004/5. George is also a founding member of the British Double Reed Society and a member of the Executive Committee of the International Double Reed Society, whose 2009 Conference will be hosted by the Conservatoire.

Booklet for Bohuslav Martinu: Chamber Works