Renowned pianist Andrea Katz gives us the lowdown on the Klara Quartet.
The Melbourne Recital Centre has described Klara Quartet as “newly formed”. To what degree is it an accurate description?
The ensemble was created in 2021 with a performance of Notturno at Tempo Rubato. Like many artists and groups, we had to cancel a few performances due to the pandemic and have only been able to perform this year.
Why the name Klara Quartet?
During lockdowns I listened to a radio station from Belgium called Klara Continuo. The name, so reminiscent of Clara Schumann, but with a K like Katz, was the reason for the name.
How did you, violinist Rachael Beesley, violist Simon Oswell and cellist Luke Severn come together?
I invited them to participate in Songmakers Australia’s Schubertiade in 2019 to perform the Trout Quintet together with double bassist Damien Eckersley. After Damien moved to New Zealand, it was only logical to continue with a piano quartet.
I always admired Rachael and wanted to work with her. She brought Simon to the group as they play together all the time. Luke was on my radar since he was a student at Monash and I like mixing generations in my ensembles, it seems to create the right balance of energy and experience.
In what ways might Klara Quartet distinguish itself from other piano quartets?
The piano quartet configuration is a very interesting one. It was the most popular chamber music ensemble in the 19th century. Each instrument has many opportunities to shine through solos, as in a trio but with more oomph, and not as compact as a string quartet plus piano. The repertoire is key; on Saturday December 3, we are also presenting our World Music program at Tempo Rubato, with works by Turina, Piazzolla and Dvorak.
You have a recital comprising works by Schubert and Brahms coming up on Monday December 5 in the Melbourne Recital Centre. What led to these choices? Are they representative of repertoire you choose to play?
Schubert’s Notturno was a natural progression after the Trout performance (I was planning another Schubertiade for 2020, hoping to program it for 2023). Brahms piano quartets are essential to build a cohesive ensemble. The opus 60 quartet was written whilst Brahms was visiting Schumann at the asylum and includes some of his most poignant and tragic music. It is as monumental as his symphonies and piano concertos.
Klara Quartet will be performing Schubert’s “Notturno” Piano Trio in E-flat, D.897 and Brahms’ Piano Quartet No.3, Op. 60 at the Melbourne Recital Centre’s Primrose Potter Salon at 6pm on December 5.
