String Quartet OXUS and Margaret Roberts, piano

Programme

Astor Piazzolla: Tango Ballet 

I Títulos

II La calle 

III Encuentro – Olvido 

IV Cabaret

V Soledad 

VI La calle

Kate Bailey – violin

Louise Graham – violin

Heather Birt – viola

Spike Wilson – cello

Robert Schumann: Piano Quintet in E flat, Op. 44

I Allegro brillante

II In modo d'una marcia. Un poco largamente

III Scherzo: Molto vivace

IV Allegro ma non troppo

Kate Bailey – violin

Louise Graham – violin

Heather Birt – viola

Spike Wilson – cello

Margaret Roberts  – piano

Founded in 2006, String Quartet OXUS has built a reputation for imaginative performances that combine artistic excellence with a spirit of collaboration. Their repertoire ranges from the classical string quartet tradition to innovative cross-disciplinary projects, including Steve Reich's Different Trains, The Juliet Letters by Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet, collaborations with visual artist Pam Foley, performances with the folk group Moonrakers, and recording sessions at Abbey Road Studios. Alongside their work with OXUS, the quartet's members enjoy diverse careers as soloists, chamber musicians, and orchestral performers, with experience spanning orchestral leadership, continuo playing, Baroque, contemporary, and jazz performance. This breadth of experience informs the ensemble's distinctive approach to chamber music, combining technical excellence with curiosity, versatility, and a commitment to sharing great music with audiences.

Margaret Roberts is a pianist, accompanist and piano teacher at the University of Surrey. After reading music at Brasenose College, Oxford, she pursued postgraduate studies in piano accompaniment at the Royal College of Music. She has performed extensively in the UK and overseas as a recital and chamber musician, has recorded with ensembles including The Holywell Ensemble, and is a highly regarded accompanist, working regularly with singers and instrumentalists in concerts, recordings, competitions and masterclasses.