Alke Quartet at the Cranleigh Arts Centre

Yesterday evening I was very pleased to introduce a recital by a string quartet at the Cranleigh Arts Centre.

This was the first in a series of classical recitals in Cranleigh, sponsored by Informed Choice, featuring tomorrow’s stars in classical music.

The series is supported by the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund, administered by the Philharmonia Orchestra, which has given invaluable support to countless young musicians since 1968.

This season will consist of eight recitals, including two new matinee performances with a start time of 1pm.

Yesterday evening it was my pleasure to introduce The Alke Quartet.

The Alke Quartet was formed in 2011 by members of the Southbank Sinfonia and in 2014 they welcomed Soh-yon Kim as first violinist.

Following their highly successful Park Lane Group audition earlier this year, the Alke Quartet have been selected as PLG Young Artist for 2015/16 which involves concerts in St John’s Smith Square, London as part of the long-established PLG Young Artists Series.

Finalists in the Bloch Music Competition and St. Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Music Competition, they were accepted for the International Music Seminar Prussia Cove, working closely with the Endellion Quartet’s David Waterman.

The Alke Quartet consists of Soh-yon Kim, Elise Harper, Ben Harrison and Karen French.

Their recital yesterday evening consisted of pieces by Mozart, Schubert and Janacek. We were all very impressed with the quality and technicality of their performance.

The next recital in this series takes place at 7.30pm on 11th November, featuring Costanza Principe on piano.

After graduating cum laude from the Milan Conservatory in 2010, Costanza Principe obtained her Bachelor of Music from the Royal Academy of Music in London with Christopher Elton, supported throughout the years by a generous scholarship.

Since her public debut at the age of 7, Costanza Principe has performed as a soloist and with orchestra in Italy, France, UK and South America, and her performances have been broadcast on Radio and TV.

We do hope you can join us for what promises to be another impressive performance. Book your tickets here.