The Rasumovsky String
Quartet, founded in 1984, derives its name from the Russian Ambassador in Vienna
in the early 19th Century. As an amateur violinist Count Andrey Kyrillovich
Rasumovsky was sufficiently skilled to persuade Haydn to coach his house
quartet. He commissioned Beethoven to write a set of three quartets, which
appeared as op.59 in 1806. These masterly works, so much in advance of their
time both in concept and technical difficulty, may well have proved too hard for
the dedicatee to play, but their reputation has kept Rasumovsky's name before
music lovers ever since.
It follows that
establishing all Beethoven's 17 Quartets in performance was an early priority
for this ensemble, but the large repertoire of the last twenty years covers a
wide range – from contemporary British quartets to early classics played with
transitional bows and gut strings.
The roots of the
Rassumovsky Quartet reach back beyond their formation in 1984 through
friendships and shared musical experiences. The style of the Quartet is
traditional by choice, seeking to find the varied tone colours and generally
moderate pace of previous generations of chamber music players
 FRANCES
MASON has won prizes at
several international violin competitions, including the Carl Flesch and
National Federation of Music Societies' Award. She studied at the Royal College
of Music with Alan Loveday and as a child was taught by Albert Sammons. As well
as appearing as soloist at the Promenade Concerts and throughout the country she
has been involved with several chamber ensembles (such as Olive Zorian's Quartet
and the Dartington Piano Trio) and has performed around the world when leading
the Music Group of London.
 HILARY
STURT graduated from
the Guildhall School (David Takeno) and Royal College of Music (Felix Andrievsky)
with prizes for solo, chamber and contemporary music. Her experience as a
leading performer embraces classical and avant-garde ensembles, together with
improvisatory playing in music theatre, working with Frank Zappa and the dancer
Laurie Booth. Hilary also values teaching at the Royal College of Music and at
St. Paul's School for Girls, where she is Head of Strings, as an opportunity to
reinvest in the future of music.
 CHRISTOPHER
WELLINGTON, first ever
Principal Viola of the National Youth Orchestra, won 1st class honours in Music
at Oxford and studied viola with Frederick Riddle and Keith Cummings. In a
varied career he has appeared at the Queen Elizabeth Hall as soloist on viola
and viola d'amore, played as Principal with the Philharmonia Orchestra and
several chamber orchestras, taught at the Royal College of Music and Trinity
College (and briefly in Beijing and Shanghai) and has been the viola player of
the Zorian and Amici Quartets, the Music Group of London and the string trio Tre
Corde.
 IAN
PRESSLAND, born in
Cheltenham, was educated in Hampshire, playing in the county youth orchestra,
and at the Winchester School of Art. Ian studied cello with Florence Hooton and
Donald McCall. While at Trinity College he won the Sonata Prize, the Louise
Bande and Sir John Barbirolli prizes for cello. Ian played in the BBC Concert
Orchestra and became a coach and Assistant Director of Pro Corda. He is a
Director of ‘Arts
Bazaar', his own promotion company, and plays a 1760 Joseph Hill cello,
bought with assistance from the Musicians Loan Fund.
The Rasumovsky Quartet on Guild Music
http://www.rasumovsky.com
Page revised Friday February 09 2007
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