Sunday February 4th 3.00 pm

The Friern Ensemble

Paul Willey (violin)
Colin Callow (violin)
Rusen Gunes (viola)
Ian Byrne Brito (viola)
Nigel Blomiley (cello)
Tony Hougham (double bass)
Hugh Mather (piano)

Mozart : String Quintet in D K593

Schubert : Piano Quintet in A D 667 'Trout'

Admission free with retiring collection. No tickets issued beforehand

Paul Willey (violin) studied at the Royal Academy of Music and won scholarships to complete his studies in Freiburg, Indiana and Sienna. He was Associate Leader of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra before being appointed Leader of the Ulster Orchestra and subsequently Leader of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He now freelances, and appears regularly as guest leader of the English Chamber Orchestra, the Philharmonia, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and other orchestras. He has performed as concerto soloist with various leading orchestras, and has played on BBC radio both as recitalist and as concerto soloist.
Colin Callow (violin) studied at Chetham's School and the Royal Northern College of Music. He joined the Northern Sinfonia and then took up a position with the Amphion quartet. Subsequently he performed with the English, Medici and Chilingirian quartet and played with the London Philharmonic Orchestra for 19 years, and more recently with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He has coached many summer schools in England and Italy as an assistant to Manny Hurwitz.
Rusen Gunes (viola) was born in Turkey, and studied in Ankara, at the Royal College of Music and in the USA with William Primrose. He was principal viola with English Chamber Orch. and later was 1st viola with the London Philharmonic Orchestra for 10 years and the BBC Symphony Orchestra for 12 years. He has been a member of the London String Quartet for 15 years. He has recorded orchestral and chamber music CDs and has also taught widely in Turkey and throughout Europe.
Ian Bryne Brito (viola) was born in the UK but brought up in Spain. He graduated from The Hague Royal Conservatory and completed a masters at the Royal Academy of Music. Since then, Ian has developed a successful international performing career and has won several prestigious awards and scholarships. He continues to perform and teach alongside his role as Assistant Manager & Viola Specialist with Stringers in London.
Nigel Blomiley (cello) was principal cello in the BBC Concert Orchestra from 1981-2005 after being Assistant Principal in the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra from 1970-1981. He featured regularly as soloist with the BBC Concert Orchestra, and toured throughout the world. He has a serious commitment to chamber music, and to developing young players, having taught at Chethams and the Purcell School for many years, and worked as coach to the National Youth Orchestra of Wales.
Tony Hougham (double bass) studied at Trinity College of Music. He was appointed principal double bass player with the orchestra of the Royal Opera House in 1986, and has also been invited to play as guest principal with the London Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He is a founder member of the Soloists, a chamber group formed by mostly principal players of the orchestra of the Royal Opera House. He teaches extensively, and coaches youth orchestras in Kent, Essex and Herts.
Hugh Mather (piano) studied the piano and organ from an early age, gaining the FRCO and the ARCM piano performers diplomas. He pursued a medical career and was Consultant Physician at Ealing Hospital from 1982 to 2006. He continued his piano studies with James Gibb for many years, and gave countless concerts in West London as concerto soloist, recitalist, accompanist and chamber musician. He has organised over 1200 concerts locally over the past decade.