Carducci Quartet with Julian Bliss clarinet

Matthew Denton - violin

Michelle Fleming - violin

Eoin Schmidt-Martin - viola

Emma Denton - cello

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) String Quartet Op. 20 No. 4

David Bruce (b. 1970) “Gumboots” Clarinet Quintet (2008)

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Clarinet Quintet in b minor Op. 115

An internationally renowned Anglo-Irish string quartet based in the UK, the versatile and award-winning Carducci String Quartet has performed everything from brand new quartets, classic works by Haydn, complete Shostakovich cycles, and even partnered with folk-rock icon Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. In 2016, they took home a Royal Philharmonic Society Award for their performances of cycles of the complete Shostakovich Quartets. The quartet has released a bevy of acclaimed recordings on their own label, Carducci Classics, as well as Signum Classics. Their Naxos recordings of Philip Glass Quartets have had over six million plays on Spotify.

Julian Bliss is one of the world’s finest clarinettists excelling as a concerto soloist, chamber musician, jazz artist, masterclass leader and tireless musical explorer. The breadth and depth of his artistry are reflected in the diversity and distinction of his work. In recital and chamber music he has played at most of the world’s leading festivals and venues including Gstaad, Mecklenburg Vorpommern, Verbier, Wigmore Hall (London) and Lincoln Center (New York). His latest CD includes the piece for clarinet & string quartet by David Bruce – Gumboots – inspired by the gumboot dancing of miners in South Africa.

"Here’s a double delight. First, an engaging new work that deserves a place in the Chamber repertory; second, a passionate account of Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet which can hold its head high against starrier competition." – Gramophone Magazine June 2016.

Presented in association with the OPW