LEEDS INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER SERIES 2024/25: EUROPEAN WANDERINGS

Athens to Bucharest: A bumpy ride through the Balkans

CAERUS Chamber Ensemble
Jonian Ilias Kadesha – violin
Pablo Hernán Benedí – violin/viola
Lily Francis – viola/violin
Vashti Hunter – cello
Noam Greenberg – piano

Nikos Skalkottas Five Greek Dances
Béla Bartók String Quartet No 5
Iannis Xenakis Dhipli Zyia for violin and cello
George Enescu Piano Quintet

This is the most epic journey of them all – Athens to Bucharest. It represents the amazing diversity of rhythm, colourful dances, and powerful story-telling music that the Balkans have to offer.

CAERUS explores a mesmerising but little-known masterpiece by George Enescu, coupled with the ground-breaking, iconic fifth string quartet by Béla Bartók. The third movement, Alla bulgarese, is based on a well-known dance from Bulgaria. Bartók is not only famous for his compositional qualities and artistry but was also a respected musicologist and produced some of the most important folk-music studies in the first half of the 20th century.

This programme also includes works by two composers from Jonian’s homeland of Greece: Nikos Skalkottas, who is considered the ‘Greek Bartók’, and Iannis Xenakis, whose short composition for violin and cello beautifully represents the sounds of a typical Greek folk-band.