Beethoven ‘Pastoral’ & Schubert ‘Trout’ Quintet, Hastings Early Music Festival

In a historically authentic tradition of repurposing compositions, pianist Jan Rautio transcribed Beethoven’s programmatic symphony, The Pastoral, for the same combination of instruments as Schubert’s immortal Trout Quintet. Composed when Schubert was 22, the quintet was inspired by the surroundings of a summer trip in the Austrian Alps and uses his earlier song ‘Die Forelle’ (’The Trout’, D550) for the basis for the beautiful fourth movement. One of the most popular chamber music pieces of all time, it was the centrepiece of the 1969 documentary featuring cellist Jaqueline Du Pré.

Performed by artistic director Jane Gordon and her ensemble, Rautio Piano Trio, joined by special guests Robin Ashwell violist (Sacconi Quartet) and renowned double bassist Leon Bosch.

Programme

Beethoven ‘Pastoral’ Symphony transcribed for Quintet by J. Rautio
Schubert ‘Trout’ Quintet in A major D 667

Performers

Jane Gordon violin
Robin Ashwell viola
Victoria Simonsen cello
Leon Bosch double bass
Jan Rautio piano

Known for their innovative and captivating performances, the Rautio Piano Trio has performed at the Wigmore Hall, South Bank, Bridgewater Hall, on BBC Radio 3, throughout the UK and in France, Austria, Germany. They are recording artists for Resonus Classics and have released two critically acclaimed discs.

Robin Ashwell is well known as the viola player of the Sacconi Quartet, one of the UK’s finest string quartets.  With the Quartet, he made his Wigmore Hall debut in 2004, and since then has performed at all of London’s major venues, broadcast regularly on BBC Radio 3 and appeared on numerous CDs.

Leon Bosch is a double bassist known for his expressive bel canto style. He was principal double bass of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields from 1995 until 2014 and is known as a chamber musician, recitalist, concerto soloist, teacher, conductor and program consultant.

Further information

Date & start time: 15th October

7pm Concert: Beethoven ‘Pastoral’ & Schubert ‘Trout’ Quintet

6pm Pre-concert event: ‘Artist in Conversation’ with pianist Jan Rautio

3.30-4.30pm Open rehearsal: Watch behind the scenes as the musicians prepare for their performance

Venue: St Mary in the Castle, Hastings

Price: £20 stalls, £18 boxes, £15 balcony + booking fee