Unlikely bedfellows?

MALCOLM MILLER attends the UK première
of a new work for string quartet and percussion

A remarkable triple début -- of artists, work and venue -- recently took place in London. The novel ensemble of the leading 'Con Tempo' String Quartet with the charismatic percussionist, Chen Zimbalista premièred a work for percussion and strings by Menachem Wizenberg in the attractive new Recital Hall of London's Royal Academy of Music. Their 'open rehearsal' on 5 November 2001 -- in effect a short concert -- was a wonderful experience, a taster for their 2002 programmes, which also afforded a chance to meet and speak about their ideas.

Con Tempo, the RAM's Quartet-in-Residence, are recent winners of the London International String Quartet Competition (2000) and pursue a busy international career including the Enescu Festival in their native Romania, where they perform Enescu, Lipatti, Silvestri and other Romanian composers.

Chen Zimbalista, from Israel, is one of the most charismatic of solo percussionists, touring across the world either as a soloist or ensemble player. He trained with percussionists of the IPO and NYO and has played with the Stuttgart Percussion Ensemble. Currently he plays in duo with cello, with an ethnic drummer, and now in this new quintet ensemble.

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