Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective

The evening

A pair of simply delightful piano quartets: Dvořák at his sweetest and pure sunshine from Héritte-Viardot.

Héritte-Viardot’s Piano Quartet, composed in 1883, is a wonderfully outdoorsy evocation of a day in summer, from nature awakening and distant hunting calls to the sultry heat of afternoon followed by an evening dance under the trees. Perhaps less well known than her mother Pauline, Héritte-Viardot was a highly versatile musician with a particular flair for elegant chamber works.

Dvořák composed his first Piano Quartet with his customary speed in 1875, producing a chamber piece of irresistible freshness and lyrical charm.

The consistently inventive Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective are passionate in their advocacy of neglected works, especially those by women composers. They field an outstanding group of players to perform this colourful and emotionally rich repertoire.

Recorded for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3.