The Rossetti Ensemble

Sara Trickey, Sarah-Jane Bradley, Tim Lowe & John Lenehan

We are pleased at last to welcome the Rossetti Ensemble to Pinner – after two pandemic postponements. Their programme for Piano Quartet includes two great, contrasting works in G minor – by Mozart and by Brahms, each at the peak of their powers. Mozart’s is a fantastic exploration of the medium, with much melodic interplay between the instruments, and a joyful feel that belies the minor key designation. They end with Brahms’s magnificent G minor Piano Quartet, a striking and highly romantic piece, one that exploits the contrast between the percussive nature of the piano and the sustaining qualities of the strings. Between, they will play The Song and Dance Sketchbook by David Matthews, marking his 80th year – performance supported by the Schubert Ensemble Trust Commission Grant Scheme – and the fascinating single movement of Gustav Mahler’s early Piano Quartet.

The Rossetti Ensemble was created in 2018 from longstanding collaborations between pianist John Lenehan, violinist Sara Trickey, violist Sarah-Jane Bradley and cellist Tim Lowe. Named after Dante Gabriel, the eminent British poet and Pre-Raphaelite artist, they are passionate about the repertoire of the era and composers who derived inspiration from his work during the late romantic period and early 20th Century.

Sara Trickey brings her “beautifully refined tone” (Musical Opinion) and her “fiery and passionate” style (The Strad) to both her solo and chamber career. Formerly a founder member of the prize-winning Brontë Quartet, she is currently a member of the Odysseus Piano Trio and the Joachim String Trio as well as duos with pianist Daniel Tong and violinist Andrew Watkinson. Sara has been involved in many chamber music recordings and has received critical acclaim for her duo recordings of works by Mathias and Schubert. Sara also has a keen interest in contemporary music.

Sarah-Jane Bradley,“ardent and affecting soloist” (The Daily Telegraph), is well-known for her championing of new works for the viola. She has worked as soloist with the Philharmonia, Hallé, and BBC Symphony Orchestra amongst others, and her acclaimed recordings include CDs for Hyperion, Chandos, Naxos and Dutton Epoch. A founder member of the Leopold String Trio, and subsequently Sorrel Quartet, Fidelio Piano Quartet and London Soloists Ensemble, she is a sought-after chamber musician.

Tim Lowe is firmly established as one of the new generation of outstanding British cellists. He has played as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe and the UK. His most recent recital at the Wigmore with pianist Andrew Brownell was described as “compelling in every respect, probing, virtuosic and yielding by turns – a true example of outstanding musicianship.” (Musical Opinion). Tim is Co-Principal cellist of the English Chamber Orchestra and regularly plays as Guest Principal with the BBC Scottish and Royal Northern Sinfonia amongst others. He is a Professor of Cello at the Guildhall, and is the Artistic Director of York Chamber Music Festival.

John Lenehan is described as “One of our most celebrated musicians” (Classic FM Magazine) and “Simply one of the best chamber pianists going” (The Scotsman). He has recorded over 70 CDs, and is renowned internationally both as a soloist and chamber musician. He regularly partners artists such as Tasmin Little and Emma Johnson, and is also acclaimed for his work as a composer and arranger.

Recent review of a Rossetti Ensemble concert: “Crisp, beautiful and expressive. A delightful, warm, intimate evening of chamber music, played with energy by such talented musicians. A privilege to experience.”