News

Armida Quartet commission by Brett Dean, Madame ma bonne sœur, wins Ivor Novello Award 2022
It was high on the Armida Quartet’s ‘wish list’ to find a new work from Brett Dean which resulted in his cycle for mezzo and string quartet, Madame ma bonne soeur (2021). With libretto by Matthew Jocelyn the piece was co-commissioned by the... read more »

Hannes Minnaar's Goldberg Variations wins a 2022 Edison Klassiek award
The jury's notes suggested: "Minnaar lets the music speak for itself and does not force anything, but he still makes embellishments here and there in an interesting way. Everything sounds intelligent, light and flowing and makes perfect sense. As a 'luxury item' you can also... read more »

Mark Simpson joins EJ-Arts
EJ-Arts is delighted to welcome Mark Simpson, clarinettist and composer, to the roster. He is unquestionably one of Britain's most exciting artists. During this season Mark performs chamber music with Pierre-Laurent Aimard and Jean-Guihen Queryas, he continues to perform Thomas Adès’s clarinet quintet Alchymia,... read more »

Van Baerle Trio are Paris bound
The Van Baerle Trio are headed to Paris for 11th June. They perform at the Théâtre de la Ville, bringing with them some of the highlights of the German and French classical and romantic repertoire; Mozart, Brahms and Chausson.read more »

A sextet heads to Queen's Hall, Edinburgh!
The Armida Quartet joined by friends, viola player Pauline Sachse, and cellist Eckart Runge head to the Queen's Hall to play a programme of sextets for the New Town Concerts on Monday 28th March. The programme will delight with Mendelssohn's Capriccio and Brahms... read more »

Armida Quartet 5* reviews for 4th CD of their Mozart cycle
The 4th release of the Armida Quartet's complete Mozart recording cycle has won high praise in both March 2022 editions of Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine. The latter reviews the disc as "sparkling", "especially beguiling", "most exquisite of all" whilst Gramophone suggests, "The Armida... read more »

Maria Milstein glorious in Artist Residency
As 2021/22 Artist in Residence for Netherlands Radio's concert series at the Tivoli Vredenberg, Utrecht, audiences have so far enjoyed the Milstein Duo (in recital with her duo partner and sister, Nathalia Milstein) and most recently a sensational rendition of Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1... read more »

Armida Quartet impress as Artistic Directors
The Mecklenberg Vorpommern, Rügen Festival in October 2021 saw the Armida Quartet sweep their audiences off their feet as they performed 15 programmes they had programmed as guest artistic directors of the festival. Highlights included the German premiere of Brett Dean's ravishing quintet for... read more »

September 2021: Hannes Minnaar Goldberg Variations CD release
CD release, 24th September 2021. Another pandemic journey that Hannes Minnaar embarked upon with determination to bring this music to deserving audiences. Having lived for many years with the Goldbergs in his repertoire Hannes performed the Goldberg Variations across the Netherlands in Summer 2020 to... read more »

Hannes Minnaar steps in with all-Schubert programme for Concertgebouw's Sunday Series
In this topsy turvy world that we are in Hannes Minnaar steps in at short notice for an indisposed Martin James Bartlett (sadly unable to reach Amsterdam due to travel restrictions). A familiar artist at the Concertgebouw Hannes will perform on the well known... read more »