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Married to the Quartet

by Zoe Knighton 1st April, 2014
by Zoe Knighton 1st April, 2014

In recent years novelists, playwrights and film-makers have revived speculation about quartets: how do the “families” that play together stay together? Flinders Quartet cellist Zoe Knighton offers an insider’s perspective that suggests it’s a marriage of true minds  – with the inevitable compromises. As Zoe tells it …

When Flinders Quartet began in 2000, none of us were really prepared for the emotional commitment that comes with a permanent chamber ensemble. It began like many relationships. Swap dates for concerts and that’s how it progressed. Before we knew it, we had been on enough “dates”/concerts to organise some overseas “trips”/study.

There are no official ceremonies to mark the marriage of a quartet but I think the closest thing is a photo shoot. It’s a permanent and public declaration that we are playing together. I don’t know when it was that I realised I was married to Flinders Quartet – perhaps at my own wedding when my husband to be suggested I include the members of the quartet in our wedding vows. After two weeks of marriage FQ embarked on 10 weeks of study at the Banff Centre for the Arts and it really cemented our commitment to the group.

Like any relationship, there are arguments and reconciliations. Rather like sharing a house for the first time, the initial period is often incredibly amicable, until the permanency of the situation sets in and habits start to irritate. It’s hard enough with two people, but double that to four people in a quartet and it’s no wonder that the famous chamber music teacher Hatto Berle sends all his groups to marriage counselling as a matter of course. What we discovered was that if the members essentially respect each other and want to play with each other, any problem can be overcome.

After ten years of rehearsal, there was so much that didn’t have to be said. I could almost predict word for word the conversations that would occur in the practise room. Everyone had their role to play in the musical crafting of a piece and  “OK, this is going to be conversation number sixteen and we are going with solution B”. It made for efficient rehearsals and we had developed our own language. So much so, that when people witnessed our rehearsals, sometimes it was hard for them to follow the train of thought. When playwright Adam Cass filmed our rehearsals in order to write the play Behind Closed Doors, he found it fascinating that he really didn’t understand a word we were saying.

Playing in a string quartet is an addiction. Not just for the music (although that is the primary motivation) but for the daily contact with three other musicians who become part of one’s musical identity. When The four of us sat down at Cafe Arts Vic and discussed the future of a string quartet with orchestral jobs and babies, it wasn’t looking good. It seemed far too similar to the relationships where the couple still love each other and want to be together but with changing priorities, the tough decision had to be made. Erica Kennedy and Matt Tomkins made the hard decision to leave the quartet. No more daily contact with these amazing people and musicians. Heartbreaking.

It honestly took six months before I could talk about the break up without welling up and while we had to plan for the future, I felt incredibly numb. Forced to move on, Helen Ireland and I were back in the dating game after 10 years of fidelity. Back to polite rehearsals on best behaviour and the knowledge that if things weren’t going according to plan, it wasn’t worth rocking the boat for a short term arrangement. In some ways it was exciting. Meeting new people that have no idea how I used to play 10 years ago. What does one look for in a string quartet member? Obviously amazing and inspiring playing but we knew that without commitment, nothing works. Hey – no one joins a string quartet with the intention of making their millions – it has to be for love.

Amazingly we found two inspiring violinists in Shane Chen and Helen Ayres who are completely committed to Flinders Quartet. The chances were rather slim in finding that winning combination and we still can’t quite believe our luck. Two photo shoots later, we have begun that journey towards nonsensical rehearsal conversations.

It would be fair to say that the honeymoon is over for the new lineup and we have years of marital bliss and arguments ahead.

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Events Calendar

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  • December 2023

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0 events, 27

2 events, 28

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Tristan Lee – Between Heart & Head

November 28 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Tristan Lee – Between Heart & Head

Conflicts of human nature unleashed through captivating Romantic piano masterpieces. Embark on a captivating journey as acclaimed pianist Tristan Lee, delves…

$30 – $37
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Event Series

Wildschut and Brauss

November 28 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Event Series

Wildschut and Brauss

Two European stars in the making, and two exquisite soloists – violinist Noa Wildschut and pianist Elisabeth Brauss perform a grand…

$40 – $158

1 event, 29

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

LGT Young Soloists

November 29 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

LGT Young Soloists

The Young Soloists unites highly talented award-winning young virtuosos from over 20 nations. Among their many groundbreaking successes, Young Soloists are…

$10

3 events, 30

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Syzygy Ensemble – Joy Ride

November 30 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Syzygy Ensemble – Joy Ride

Don’t we all just want to be happy? In their second series installment Syzygy invites listeners to strap in for an…

$30 – $37
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

BK Opera: Befreit – Released

November 30 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

BK Opera: Befreit – Released

Presented by BK Opera Melbourne independent opera company BK Opera presents Befreit, an opera inspired recital at the Eleventh Hour Theatre in…

$33 – $49
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody

November 30 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody

Audience favourite Andrea Lam joins the MSO for Rachmaninov's powerhouse Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, and Jaime Martín conducts Shostakovich's…

$69 – $135

0 events, 1

4 events, 2

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

BK Opera: Befreit – Released

December 2 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

BK Opera: Befreit – Released

Presented by BK Opera Melbourne independent opera company BK Opera presents Befreit, an opera inspired recital at the Eleventh Hour Theatre in…

$33 – $49
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Accelerando Recital 2023

December 2 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Accelerando Recital 2023

The Accelerando program provides an opportunity for exceptional young artists to take their music to the next level. A year-long journey,…

Free
7:30 pm - 9:15 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Christmas Fanfare

December 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:15 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Christmas Fanfare

A Christmas Fanfare: a feast of music for choir and brass Choral masterworks from four centuries and favourite traditional carols Melbourne…

$25 – $45
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody

December 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody

Audience favourite Andrea Lam joins the MSO for Rachmaninov's powerhouse Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, and Jaime Martín conducts Shostakovich's…

$69 – $135

5 events, 3

Featured 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Handel’s Messiah 2023

Featured December 3 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Handel’s Messiah 2023

World record performance in Melbourne Town Hall The 40th Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Concert “The Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra…

$65 – $95
2:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Heidelberg Choral Society: Handel’s Messiah

December 3 @ 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Heidelberg Choral Society: Handel’s Messiah

Join with the Heidelberg Choral Society and Orchestra, conducted by Peter Bandy, with soloists Teresa Ingrilli (soprano), Dimity Shepherd (mezzo soprano), Timothy Reynolds (tenor), and Oliver Mann (baritone) to hear Handel at his most brilliant.

$50 – $55
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Rock Choir – Play It Forward 10th Anniversary Concert

December 3 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Rock Choir – Play It Forward 10th Anniversary Concert

Celebrating our 10th anniversary, Play It Forward presents a joyous, rousing concert of all the greatest rock music classics from Queen…

$32 – $38
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #4

December 3 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #4

The Royal Melbourne Hospital 175th Anniversary Gala Concert. Corpus Medicorum finishes their Duality concert series with a giant party! Come and join the…

$30 – $65
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Something Suite – Yasmin Rowe

December 3 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Something Suite – Yasmin Rowe

Join concert pianist Yasmin Rowe for an exciting and evocative program of piano works at Montsalvat.  With a first half of Couperin's…

$35 – $40.00

0 events, 4

1 event, 5

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Quartz – Sweet Disposition

December 5 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Quartz – Sweet Disposition

Beauty and elegance meets skill and maturity. Acclaimed Melbourne string quartet Quartz are a confluence of Australian musical talent and world-class…

$30 – $37

1 event, 6

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Ossicle Duo & Rubiks Collective – Displaced Bodies

December 6 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Ossicle Duo & Rubiks Collective – Displaced Bodies

Sonic frontiers, stunning projections, chamber music and unconventional instruments. Experience sonic innovation as Displaced Bodies unites two of Melbourne’s cutting-edge ensembles. Ossicle Duo,…

$30 – $37

2 events, 7

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Event Series

Omega Ensemble – Lionheart

December 7 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Event Series

Omega Ensemble – Lionheart

Quartets quintets, and sextets… oh my! Shostakovich’s profound Piano Quintet represents a period of writing where the young composer, who was…

$59 – $69
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

Omega Ensemble – Lionheart

December 7 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

Omega Ensemble – Lionheart

Quartets quintets, and sextets… oh my! Shostakovich’s profound Piano Quintet represents a period of writing where the young composer, who was…

$59 – $69

0 events, 8

4 events, 9

2:30 pm - 4:15 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Christmas Fanfare

December 9 @ 2:30 pm - 4:15 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Christmas Fanfare

A Christmas Fanfare: a feast of music for choir and brass Choral masterworks from four centuries and favourite traditional carols Melbourne…

$25 – $45
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

KIAZMA Piano Duo – Mother Goose

December 9 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

KIAZMA Piano Duo – Mother Goose

Musical fun and entertainment for the whole family, join KIAZMA Piano Duo for an interactive experience. Let the magic of classical music transport…

$30 – $37
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Victoria Chorale: Gloria

December 9 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Victoria Chorale: Gloria

Victoria Chorale will capture the spirit of Christmas at 5pm on Sat Dec 9 at St Paul's Cathedral. The program includes…

$20 – $60
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

KIAZMA Piano Duo – Christmas Trees

December 9 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

KIAZMA Piano Duo – Christmas Trees

Usher in the festive season with a rare performance of Liszt’s enchanting Christmas Trees. Let the magic of classical music transport…

$30 – $37

1 event, 10

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Australian Boys Choir: Sing of Christmas

December 10 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Australian Boys Choir: Sing of Christmas

Nicholas Dinopoulos leads nearly 200 singers of the Australian Boys Choral Institute and The Vocal Consort in this unmissable traditional festive…

$34 – $60

0 events, 11

0 events, 12

1 event, 13

6:00 pm - 7:10 pm

Affinity Quartet – Innovators

December 13 @ 6:00 pm - 7:10 pm

Affinity Quartet – Innovators

Affinity Quartet perform revolutionary masterpieces by Haydn and Bartók. Join Affinity Quartet as they perform a program of innovative treasures for…

$30 – $37

0 events, 14

2 events, 15

Featured 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

Featured December 15 @ 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

Carols in the Cathedral 2023 3 spectacular concerts in St Paul's Cathedral Friday 15 December at 8.30pmSaturday 16 December 2pm  and…

$25.00 – $87.00
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Ros Bandt with Alana Blackburn – Sounding Spaces

December 15 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Ros Bandt with Alana Blackburn – Sounding Spaces

A captivating ‘unearthing of sonic archaeologies.’ Immerse yourself in original, spatial-sounding artworks that redefine environments. Join acclaimed sound artist Ros Bandt…

$20 – $25

4 events, 16

Featured 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

Featured December 16 @ 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

Carols in the Cathedral 2023 3 spectacular concerts in St Paul's Cathedral Friday 15 December at 8.30pmSaturday 16 December 2pm  and…

$25.00 – $87.00
Featured 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

Featured December 16 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

Carols in the Cathedral 2023 3 spectacular concerts in St Paul's Cathedral Friday 15 December at 8.30pmSaturday 16 December 2pm  and…

$25.00 – $87.00
5:00 pm - 6:15 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: NOËL! NOËL!

December 16 @ 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: NOËL! NOËL!

Noël! Noël! is filled with timeless carols including O Come All Ye Faithful, Stille Nacht and many musical surprises. The much-anticipated annual tradition that is Noël!…

$30 – $185
7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: NOËL! NOËL!

December 16 @ 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: NOËL! NOËL!

Noël! Noël! is filled with timeless carols including O Come All Ye Faithful, Stille Nacht and many musical surprises. The much-anticipated annual tradition that is Noël!…

$30 – $185

0 events, 17

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0 events, 31

  • There are no events on this day.
November 28
November 28 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Tristan Lee – Between Heart & Head

November 28 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Event Series

Wildschut and Brauss

November 29
November 29 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

LGT Young Soloists

November 30
November 30 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Syzygy Ensemble – Joy Ride

November 30 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

BK Opera: Befreit – Released

November 30 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody

December 2
December 2 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

BK Opera: Befreit – Released

December 2 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Accelerando Recital 2023

December 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:15 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Christmas Fanfare

December 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody

December 3
Featured Featured December 3 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Handel’s Messiah 2023

$65 – $95
December 3 @ 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Heidelberg Choral Society: Handel’s Messiah

December 3 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Rock Choir – Play It Forward 10th Anniversary Concert

December 3 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #4

December 3 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Something Suite – Yasmin Rowe

December 5
December 5 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Quartz – Sweet Disposition

December 2
December 2 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

BK Opera: Befreit – Released

December 2 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Accelerando Recital 2023

December 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:15 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Christmas Fanfare

December 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody

December 3
Featured Featured December 3 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Handel’s Messiah 2023

$65 – $95
December 3 @ 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Heidelberg Choral Society: Handel’s Messiah

December 3 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Rock Choir – Play It Forward 10th Anniversary Concert

December 3 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #4

December 3 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Something Suite – Yasmin Rowe

  • There are no events on this day.
December 5
December 5 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Quartz – Sweet Disposition

December 6
December 6 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Ossicle Duo & Rubiks Collective – Displaced Bodies

December 7
December 7 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Event Series

Omega Ensemble – Lionheart

December 7 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

Omega Ensemble – Lionheart

  • There are no events on this day.
December 9
December 9 @ 2:30 pm - 4:15 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Christmas Fanfare

December 9 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

KIAZMA Piano Duo – Mother Goose

December 9 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Victoria Chorale: Gloria

December 9 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

KIAZMA Piano Duo – Christmas Trees

December 10
December 10 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Australian Boys Choir: Sing of Christmas

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
December 13
December 13 @ 6:00 pm - 7:10 pm

Affinity Quartet – Innovators

  • There are no events on this day.
December 15
Featured Featured December 15 @ 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

$25.00 – $87.00
December 15 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Ros Bandt with Alana Blackburn – Sounding Spaces

December 16
Featured Featured December 16 @ 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

$25.00 – $87.00
Featured Featured December 16 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

$25.00 – $87.00
December 16 @ 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: NOËL! NOËL!

December 16 @ 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: NOËL! NOËL!

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