Enso String Quartet with Michael Endres

One of the United States’ most accomplished and exciting young ensembles joins outstanding German pianist Michael Endres for the final Chamber Music New Zealand concert of the 2012 season.

With a 2010 Grammy nomination for “Best Chamber Music Performance” for their recording of Ginastera Quartets, the Enso String Quartet has quickly made their mark on the international chamber music scene. Their cellist is Christchurch-born Richard Belcher.

Michael Endres joins the ensemble for Shostakovich and Dvořak Quintets. Recently appointed Head of Piano Studies at the University of Canterbury, Michael is a pianist of international standing with an extensive and prizewinning discography.

Haydn’s sense of fun prevails in his Quartet in C which opens the New Plymouth concert. This is complemented by Shostakovich’s Quintet, described by a Moscow newspaper critic as “a portrait of our age... the rich-toned, perfect voice of the present”. The concert will also feature a new CMNZ Commission for Enso String Quartet.

“Playing of jaw-dropping prowess revealing masterpieces of the 20th century quartet literature … seek out this group – they are clearly bound for greatness.” – MusicWeb International

Maureen Nelson – violin
John Marcus – violin
Melissa Reardon – viola
Richard Belcher – cello
Michael Endres – piano

Programme:
Haydn | Quartet in C Opus 20 No 2
Debussy | String Quartet in G minor
CMNZ Commission for Enso
Shostakovich | Piano Quintet in G minor Opus 57