Introducing the performers…

The Carducci Quartet

Matthew Denton (violin)
Michelle Fleming (violin)
Eoin Schmidt-Martin (viola)
Emma Denton (cello)

Described by The Strad as presenting “a masterclass in unanimity of musical purpose, in which severity could melt seamlessly into charm, and drama into geniality”, the Carducci Quartet is recognised as one of today’s most successful ensembles. Performing over 90 concerts worldwide each year, the quartet also run their own recording label, Carducci Classics; an annual festival in Highnam, Gloucester; and have curated their own Carducci Festival in Castagneto-Carducci, the town from which they took their name.

Winners of international competitions, including the Concert Artists Guild International Competition 2007 and Finland’s Kuhmo International Chamber Music Competition, the Anglo-Irish quartet has appeared at prestigious venues across the globe including the Wigmore Hall, London; National Concert Hall, Dublin; Tivoli Concert Hall, Copenhagen; Carnegie Hall, New York and Library of Congress and John F Kennedy Center, Washington DC. Festival appearances include the Cheltenham Music Festival; Festival Messiaen au pays Meije; West Cork Chamber Music Festival; Kuhmo Festival; and the Wratislavia Cantans Festival in Poland.

2015 saw the quartet present the complete catalogue of Shostakovich’s String Quartets across a number of international cycles to commemorate 40 years since the composer’s death. The project was accompanied by a recording of quartet’s number 4, 8 and 11, their second disc for Signum Classics. Further to this, the quartet toured Germany, Holland and Colombia and collaborated with guitarist Craig Ogden, clarinettist Emma Johnson, cellists Guy Johnston and Christian-Pierre La Marca.

Highly celebrated for their interpretation of contemporary repertoire, the Carducci Quartet is regularly invited to perform new works. They presented the world premiere of Anthony Gilbert’s cello quintet, Haven of Mysteries with Guy Johnston, and curated two projects at Kings Place, London around Steve Reich and Philip Glass.

2013 saw the release of two recordings: Into the Ravine with Nicholas Daniel, their debut release for Signum Classics, featuring British works composed for the ensemble, and Alexander Raskatov’s Monks Music, listed as one of the top 5 classical recordings of 2013 by the Irish Times. The quartet has also received wide critical acclaim for recordings on their own record label, and their catalogue features two world premiere recordings: works by G Whettam (“recording of the month”, MusicWeb International) and J Horovitz (“beautifully crafted works…excellent performances”, BBC Music Magazine). They have also recorded Vivaldi and Piazzolla with the Katona Twins Guitar Duo for Channel Classics, as well as Philip Glass for Naxos.

“…a performance of supreme clarity, focus and precision.”

Gramophone Magazine

“…playing of constant variety, a masterclass in unanimity of musical purpose.”

The Strad

“…the Carducci players displayed a deep and almost familial sense of unity in everything they played… full of life and vitality… extravagantly beautiful…”

The Washington Post

“…technical rigour, penetrative musical insight and lively yet unified individualism… winning in every sense of the word…”

The Irish Times

“…high-octane playing balanced control with devil-may-care spontaneity…”

The Guardian

“…the Carducci String Quartet were stunning… they are clearly musicians of high intelligence…”

The Times

“The Carducci Quartet played a blinder at the Wigmore Hall… playing of vivacity and constant rhythmic subtlety…”

The Strad

“…their ascent into the league of the world’s major quartets has been phenomenal…”

The Yorkshire Post

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Chris Windass (viola)

Chris Windass studied Violin and Viola at Birmingham Conservatoire under Ernest Element, John White and Peter Thomas. While at Birmingham, he became a member of the conservatoire’s first ever string quartet in residence, sponsored by BRMB Radio, and gave numerous concerts throughout the country, playing in many major festivals. He continued his studies privately with Emmanuel Hurwitz, David Takeno and Manoug Parikian.
Chris now leads a busy career both as a orchestral player and chamber musician, appearing with a wide range of groups, including the Adderbury Ensemble; Medici String Quartet; Brodsky String Quartet; Carducci String Quartet; Tippett String Quartet; the Guildhall Strings; the Philharmonia Orchestra; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; and English Chamber Orchestra.

Chris’s passion for chamber music led him to establish the now famous Oxford Coffee Concert series in the Holywell Music Room on Sunday mornings as well as founding the Adderbury Ensemble in 1986. He has also forged a successful career as a teacher and is head of strings at both Bloxham School in Oxfordshire and Stowe School in Buckinghamshire.