Romanian Violinist Vlad Hirlav-Maistorovici will perform, as part of the Mercury 4tet, a quartet newly formed by four students of the Royal College of Music, London, within the Chelsea Schubert Festival. The quartet’s members are Vlad Hirlav-Maistorovici (violin), Corentin Chassard (cello), Harry Cameron-Penny (clarinet), Antoine Francoise (piano)

Basically formed to play the well renowned ‘Quartet for the end of time’ by Olivier Messiaen, the quartet is now dedicated to the interpretation of the masterworks of the 20th century as well as any new expression of the contemporary music. Determined to give a new vision of the contemporary repertoire, the quartet is open to any interdisciplinary work with visual artists and comedians or dancers. Their next projects include the mercury plugged quartet, playing on electric instruments, Takemitsu’s quadruple concerto with orchestra: ‘Quatrain’ or Schoenberg’s ‘Pierrot Lunaire’.

Since Winter 2008, the Mercury 4tet was accepted to be part of Concordia Foundation International ensemble, which will lead them to perform in famous London venues such as St Martin in the Fields.
Programme: Alban Berg: adagio from Chamber Concerto, Sieben Fruhe Lieder; Toru Takemitsu: Quatrain II; Franz Schubert: Song selection, Arpeggione Sonata.

While studying in London, Vlad Hirlav-Maistorovici was supported by the Ratiu Foundation.

Tuesday 16 September 2008: Mercury 4tet with Vlad Hirlav-Maistorovici (violin)
19.30, Holy Trinity Sloane Square, Sloane Street, London SW1X 9BZ; Tel. 020 7730 7270.

Details on www.chelseaschubertfest.co.uk