Shiry Rashkovsky and the Solem Quartet, London Chamber Music Society at Kings Place, 4.2.24

Aligned with her commitment to bringing fresh perspective to programming, expanding and diversifying the viola repertoire, and collaborating with some of the UK’s most exciting and innovative artists, Shiry commissioned a major viola quintet by world-renowned composer Errollyn Wallen in 2024.

“There are no major string quintets by women or people of colour occupying a place in the canon. The repertoire for this configuration remains rooted in the Classical and Romantic eras, with works by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Mendelssohn the most frequently chosen for performance. Wallen’s quintet will be the first significant work to expand and diversify this repertoire, both modernising the canon of works prominently featuring the viola, and providing a much-needed programming option for musicians and promoters seeking to elevate black and female voices in concert.” - Shiry Rashkovsky

Shiry will be performing the new quintet with the ‘brilliant and intense’ Solem Quartet throughout 2024/2025, with the world premiere taking place at Stour Valley Arts & Music on 17.3.24 with the Solem Quartet (tickets can be purchased here), and the London premiere with the Brompton Quartet on 28.10.24 at Up Close and Musical (tickets here). It is slated to be recorded on Delphian Records for release in 2026.

The commission is generously supported by: